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

@ClrDvs I'm 26 weeks and exactly the same as you, only just starting to feel the occasional movement higher up. Finding the variation in location and strength of movement at different times of day fascinating!

Is it anyone else getting a lot of braxton hicks? I’ve been getting them every time I walk around the supermarket and when I’m lying in bed every night. It’s not sore but they do take me by surprise and the tightness takes my breath away sometimes (very bad asthma).

I’ve never felt well in the supermarket my whole pregnancy so we keep joking I’ll go in to labour in Tesco 😂

Ah there's a new thread! I've only just figured this out despite being tagged 😅

28+2 here, and definitely really finding activity hard now. I can walk for about fifteen minutes but any more than that and I start feeling really sore and have to sit down. Hips also still really sore at night.

Otherwise in a mad rush to get things ready. Flat has needed loads of work doing to it and feeling quite behind on everything. Want to have it all done by the end of March but that's going to take a lot of effort!

Been thinking of you @Athena1984 and hope you and baby are doing well! ❤️

Hi all,
I've not been very active but keeping up with your posts which have been super helpful and reassuring on the previous two threads :) please add me if there is another one made in the future!

I also have mostly low kicks around/below my bellybutton! And definitely lopsided with her usually on the bottom left side in a lump 😄 I was told at my 20w that i have a low placenta/placenta previa- wondering if anyone else going/gone through the same thing?
Thinking about getting private scan this weekend to see where placenta is (otherwise next nhs to check this is at 32 weeks) and wondering if I should also do 4D scan while i'm there- Would any of you recommend the 4d? Im 27w tomorrow so not sure if she's big enough?

Re glucose tests- i think there are two types of test -the Mini and the full so depending on the risk factor/reason you are having it, you may go straight for the full which is where they will take your bloods then give you a drink and send you away for two hours otherwise i think if its a mini then you just have your bloods done once. I have mine next week!

Alsoo on birthing balls..does anyone have any recommendations/links on exercises or what to do on it? I feel i'll probably just instinctively sit and bounce on it but wondering if there's anything more useful i could be doing 😛

@venus93 I was told at my 20 week scan I had a low lying placenta, it was 2mm from my cervix. I had a private 4d scan last week at 26 weeks and it had moved to 7cm away from my cervix! The sonographer said if it’s going to move it’ll be pushed upwards as baby grows. I did specifically ask her about my placenta at the scan but she was more than happy to check for me so I’m sure if you ask you’ll be given an update too, fingers crossed it’s moved for you!

On the topic of the 4d scan, I’d 100% recommend it. Me and partner really enjoyed seeing our little girl moving around on the screen in 3D and it was the first time I could feel her movements as well as seeing them on the scan image! We got some lovely photos away but they asked me to come back again next Monday because she’s just a little toot and they said that they’ll get better photos when she’s grown and filled out a bit.

For movements on the ball, my yoga teacher suggested rocking back and forth with your hips and side to side and also to move like you’re drawing a figure 8 with your hips. They feel really good! I also like to lean over the ball in child’s pose both with legs wide and legs closed a bit to help open my hips up.

@venus93 I heard that 28-32 weeks was a good time to get a 4D scan as there’s still a bit of space in there to get a good picture before the baby starts to run out of room. I’m keen to get one but my partner complains about the cost. Last time, I got one at my last NHS growth scan - think I got lucky with the sonographer. It’s a really nice thing to have once their born and I’m sure one done privately at the optimum time would be even better (ours looks a little distorted but you can still recognise features of our son in it).

I’d also like to get a scan a bit further along to check baby’s position as last time when I went into labour the midwife mistakenly thought it was breach so I don’t trust them to get it correct just by feeling the outside. I’m feeling my baby (27w) move position quite a bit at the moment and then I also feel kicks in various places so that is reassuring for me that he still has time to move around.

In terms of glucose test, I did the mini one last time, which was due to some of my earlier blood results, and it came back clear. This time I had to do the full test due to the size of my son at birth (over 4kg). I did it on Thursday and it wasn’t as bad as I thought especially as I went home during the two blood tests.

I’ve got a 4d scan tomorrow and can’t wait to see baby again. I’ve had them with my other two and they are lovely. I’ll be 28+3 so should get some clear pictures. And put my mind at rest that it is definitely a girl this time! 💕 I haven’t been able to buy much as I keep worrying they’ve got it wrong so am looking forward to getting confirmation and then starting shopping.

Thanks for the replies ladies, glad to hear your tests/repeat scans all went well and were reassuring. I've booked a scan for Sunday 🤞🏻and going to order my ball now! On the topic of buying things on the last thread someone mentioned vinted bundles and I got a bit too carried away ordering loads of cute outfits! Haven't started collecting other bigger items yet though as was waiting to get to third trimester and also hoping there may be some midseason sales on at some point 😛 is anyone getting a baby monitor that checks breathing/oxygen levels? Keep reading mixed reviews about these and they are quite expensive!

@venus93 on the sleep monitors, I'm tempted by Snuzahero - interested to hear what others are doing as I know they can be divisive.

Also, I really recommend the Baby Go birth ball. It comes with a little book that gives you lots of ideas for how to use it and is the one that is recommended by the NHS.

You know funny you should say this, I met up with a girl on Peanut who is due in a couple of weeks. She found out at her 20 week scan she was having a little girl and then this Wednesday in her final growth scan, she found out it’s actually a boy! Apparently the dr said it’s the second time they’ve personally seen it happen but I’ve heard quite a few stories! I think she’s now excited but also kind of sad as she had mentally prepared herself and imagined life with a girl! I’m glad I don’t know now 🤣

@venus93 how exciting, we really enjoyed our 4D scan. I was 27 weeks and it was fab, I was amazed at how “baby like” her face was.

And glad to hear I’m not the only one with a baby who likes to curl up in a little lump! The wonky bump is hilarious some mornings! I’m sure it’s all just normal at this stage.

I bought my birth ball from amazon and have just been doing hip exercises eg figure of 8, rocking, pelvic floor etc. it does feel really relieving after strenuous activity. I think even just sitting on it is also helpful though, as opposed to the sofa, for posture etc. 😊

I’m undecided on baby monitors as I think I might be the type of person to obsess over the readings. So not too sure yet, but might be swaying towards something more basic over here!

@Emmacb82 enjoy your scan!! I’m sure it will be great 😀

Had my 4d scan this morning, baby was being a little madam and had both legs by her face and was holding onto them with her hands for the entire time. Even running up the stairs wouldn’t budge them! So got to go back next week as didn’t catch her little face once. But confirmed again that it is a girl so I think I can try and relax now (despite @LondonGirl1992 story 🤦🏼‍♀️) 💕

I can’t believe I’m in the third trimester now! It suddenly feels scarily like it’s flying by. I’ve still got so much to sort and buy. What are the key things people who have had babies before would really recommend? I’ve got a pram/car seat and cot but that’s it!

@LondonGirl1992 third trimester tomorrow for me, eek!

Keep flitting between thinking I'm quite organised (got most of the 'big' stuff) and panicking that I've so much still to sort...

Did the free online Baby Academy baby care class on Saturday and thought it was really good, got a discount code at the end for the advanced one and signed up to that too. I get some on the NHS but my partner won't be able to go, and don't want to fork out for NCT. And I like that you can watch the online ones back as much as you like if you forget anything.

@LondonGirl1992 I think alot of it depends on your lifestyle ... we decided fairly early on that we wanted a moses basket and swing for downstairs as due to having other children I felt I needed somewhere safe downstairs to place baby if needed.

Also hoping to buy a tripp trapp chair with newborn set, again for use in the kitchen / dining room so baby is higher up but safe.

Clothes - you really only need the basics but might be an idea to get a couple of different sizes as all babies are different.

Feeding essentials- depends on your hoped for method, but muslins / bibs might be an idea either way.

Bedding and blankets.

Towels - you dont need special hooded towels but might find them useful for wrapping baby up in to start with after a bath.

Bath seat / baby bath - we have always found a bath seat in the main bath so handy rather than trying to hold a wriggly slippery baby so that was one of our first purchases but again some say a waste of money.

Toiletries & Nappies etc - we are having a changing mat with a caddy downstairs with a spare set of clothes plus nappies etc so we can change downstairs.

Things like a sling / carrier depending on your choices, it might be an idea to wait untill after birth to see if you can find a local sling meet to try different styles before you buy.

There is so much pressure to have everything but apart from the essentials alot you can buy as you go and decide what works for you.

@MrsB2005 that's a really helpful list, thank you!

I'm having a wobbly day today - feeling really anxious for no reason in particular, but about everything, apparently.

I also have - TMI warning - awful trapped wind. Currently sipping on a camomile tea which helps. Anyone have any other tips for relief that's suitable for the office? Everything I looked at today suggests various poses lying down, not sure my colleagues would appreciate that!

@ClrDvs I have heard peppermint tea is good. But apart from that no help sorry!!
Cant you just pretend its yoga moves ... 😁

About being anxious - I can definitely relate, I had my first perinatal mental health appointment today after a complete meltdown at the midwives last week (As a family we are going through quite a bit and I was already feeling "wobbly" and all it took was her to ask how I was feeling and it all came tumbling out), I dont think I will need their support long term but it was certainly good to have a listening ear and someone to bounce off of that how we feel is likely to be an even bigger emotional rollercoaster from now till post birth.

Just know you are most definitely not alone x

@ClrDvs peppermint will sort you out.

I’ve had a very mixed day today. Had some blood when I went to the toilet this morning so had to ring the hospital. Luckily it just seems to be piles related which is gross but great, didn’t even know I had them. But I’ve been in tears all day about it.

I had a 4d scan today too because the first one we didn’t really get as many images as they wanted and that didn’t go well either because baby wasn’t in a good position. But at least I got to see her lovely heart beating and she was moving about.

My partner is on the late shift today so thankfully he was here with me this morning but now he’s away I’ve ordered myself a Chinese to cheer myself up.

@SarahB88 Oh Lovely!!

Thank goodness its likely to be piles related and nothing serious - although I'm sure that doesnt stop you worrying.

Sounds like your little girl is being a cheeky little monkey and already keeping you on your toes.

Enjoy your chinese & hopefully tomorrow things will seem / feel brighter.

You are not alone & the wonderful group of ladies on here are always ready to listen x

Thank you @MrsB2005 that means a lot 🥰

I don’t think it helped when one of the first questions the hospital asked was are you sure it’s not your show and that your waters haven’t broke. That hadn’t even crossed my mind! I always thought she’d come early but not 11 weeks early!!

I have my midwife on Thursday so will talk to her about it. Baby’s been wriggling about all over the place today though and seems to have enjoyed her Chinese 😂

@junebuglb I've got the same feelings about the position of the baby!! I'm fascinated trying to find out where is his head and where is his bum... still haven't managed! I'm pretty sure he's spending all his time lying sideways, he's almost always kicking on the mid-right side of my belly... And sometimes there is another sensation, lighter (I guess his hands?) a bit lower and more centrally.

I have felt some kicks higher up, above the belly button (especially when I'm semi- lying on my back in bed).
I had a 27 week growth scan last week and there he decided to be breech. They must move around so much!

The growth scan showed everything is ok apart from one thing, I seem to have a lot of amniotic fluid... I'm a bit above 95th centile so they will do a test for CMV this Thursday, when I've also got my GTT planned... Fingers crossed all is well and it's just my body producing a small swimming pool for the baby to float around more easily...

@MrsB2005 I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time. There's definitely something to be said for the solidarity of understanding at times like this, so like you say, know you're not alone with any MH struggles. I've also spoken with perinatal mental health early on and they couldn't have been better. I hope you get all the support you need xx

Thank you @Sa11yCinnamon @LondonGirl1992 , just to give you all an update, I had another scan today, baby has picked up growth, foetal weight(FW) and abdominal circumference(AC) has improved a lot. We are very much relived as you can imagine.
Anyone in the future reading this ( because of being told that AC and FW being low), I increased my protein intake ( ~80 to 100g) and I think it has helped a lot ( I am a vegetarian).

Hope you guys are all well, I can finally enjoy the pregnancy again 🙂!