September 2024 - Thread 8!

[SpicyMoth]

Continuation from thread 7 over here; https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/pregnancy/5070517-september-2024-thread-7?page=40

Can't believe we filled the last thread up already feels like it wasn't even made that long ago, gosh time is absolutely flying by!!

@WinsandSam - I'll have to ask about CBT for sure, thanks so much for the recommendation - maybe I'll actually get some help seeing as I'm pregnant!

I've been trying to get mental health support for... Well to be honest since teen-hood and realising my daily crying was not in fact "just my period/puberty" as every doctor told me it was (all males ofc, typical 🙄) so I don't hold out much hope if I'm being honest.
I originally wanted to wait until my MH was sorted before ttc, but after over a decade I was running out of fertile time frankly, so here I am still with crazy anxiety and emotional dysregulation, but what can ya do?! 😅

@TripleESept24 i haven't been in for reduced movements this time. But I remeber with my first I went when his were less rather than nothing. Like I knew he was moving but I was not convinced it was enough. I think it's so hard to judge sometimes but if you are doubting it just be checked out. X

@Lillers I breastfed both my LO’s and I would say the only things you need are muslins, breast pads (reusable or disposable) and a nursing pillow is handy but I didn’t use one for my first. I used a few normal pillows propped under my arms
Anything can be picked up as you go and see how you get on x x

I went in because of what I read on the NHS website - something along the lines of them not being as active can be a sign of infection or another problem. I’d felt him move, but not the big crazy movements I get in the mornings, etc. Just some little ones throughout the day - even a can of coke, sugar and laying down didn’t do much, so I decide to take myself up there to be sure. All was well! You can never be too safe 🫶🏼

@TripleESept24 I am also having this debate with myself it's so hard to know. I have been to triage at 22 weeks as I hadn't felt him at all for 24 hours but then like today I have only had the odd little movement through the day not like his normal big kicks or jiggling about in the evening. I'm putting it down to having had a busy day but if he's not moving properly again by tomorrow evening I will probably get checked, he was all fine at my scan on Saturday but it's still hard not to worry

Well after I typed that post she's been going mental all night now 🤣 so feeling a bit better!!!

I’m only just catching up on the thread so apologies if this has already been said! And ignore me if so.

I’ve breastfed both of mine. First in 2020, we didn’t buy any breastfeeding paraphernalia. he turned out to be a gannit so we combi-fed, and just bought some bottles and a steriliser when he was a few weeks old. I then decided I wanted to pump alongside breastfeeding so that I had a “stash” of breast milk for him to have so that my family could feed him also (Covid lockdown - we lived with my parents), so I then bought a handheld pump and storage things etc. I then went on to buying an Elvie handheld pump. This was all because he was a hungry kid and didn’t mind taking bottles etc.

With my second in 2021, I rebought the items above (what I hadn’t kept, anyway) just to be prepared as I planned to do the same with him. But he wouldn’t take a bottle in any shape or form, and certainly not from anyone but me, so I had all these bits that never really got used 🫠🫠 the only thing I really used was the bottles to feed him water when he was older.

So, my advice is, just get the basics (some nipple cream, a haaka that catches the milk from the boob you’re not feeding from as so much milk gets let down that side and just ends up going to waste otherwise, maybe some sterilised storage bags or syringes) then wait to see what your baby is like so you can purchase as you go along. Obviously this is totally based on my own experience, but I do wish I’d of waited with my second as I had a lot of wasted products I bought trying to be prepared 😓

I will say one thing though, I’ve never used or needed nipple covers in the overalll 3 years I breastfed. But again, that’s just personal experience

Re. breastfeeding....

My daughter couldn't latch due to a tongue tie, even after a procedure to remove. I couldn't access good breastfeeding support due to Covid. Her weight was dropping and she was crying out for food... I had to do an emergency pump order in with painful, engorged breasts... expressing by hand until it arrived. Luckily I lived in Hong Kong at the time where same day delivery is common but it was scary and something I will be better prepared for this time around.

Also she was intolerant to dairy to the extent that I couldn't even eat it myself as it passed through my milk... and specialist formula was hard to come by. She hated all the prescription ones available in HK so I exclusively pumped. We then moved back to the UK and landed on Aptimil lactose free, which she liked. Transitioned her into that when I went back to work and then changed the ratios to slowly transition her onto dairy based aptimil and then onto cows milk as her tolerance built up.

*onto

Can't seem to edit typos on my posts for whatever reason!

Thank you all so much for the breastfeeding tips - honestly it’s made me feel so much better about the whole thing.

I’m off work again today. I actually feel quite a bit better, but it’s exams week at work and so my day would be spent supervising exams, which would be super easy, but I’ve got a really annoying cough now and don’t want to be coughing all through the kids’ exams!

Of course because I have a cough I’m spiralling and have spent the morning trying to work out if it’s whooping cough (every time I’ve been at the hospital and tried to get the vaccine the nurse has been off 🙄). Internet says it starts off like a normal cold (like I’ve had), then turns into a dry cough (which I currently have) then over the course of a week or so the cough gets progressively worse until you can’t breathe with it and are bringing up loads of crap - so if it is that, I have no choice but to wait and see if it gets worse. But it’s also highly likely that it’s just a normal cold and a normal cough.

This is my first pregnancy, but I've discovered in the last couple of weeks that my boy also likes to "play' with my hipbone! It's the weirdest feeling ever! 🤣

@Babyplease23 Haha so odd isn't it! Once my son was born for the first few weeks he would lay asleep and have his hand up and be wiggling his fingers like he was still playing with my hipbone 😭

Well I went for my growth scan and baby is indeed a chonk, 92nd percentile. They said it's in normal range but obviously on the big side. I have GTT scheduled next week anyway so they didn't think anything else needed doing, we'll see how that goes I guess!

I also had a horrible dizzy spell on the scan table where I suddenly felt all sick and sweaty. The doctor said sometimes it can happen with someone pressing down on your tummy? She got me to turn onto my side and I felt much better. But it wasn't nice! And unfortunately I have a work event this pm which I am running so now on the train in rather than on the sofa doing nothing, which would be preferable

@malimoon sounds scary.

Sounds like a few of us are struggling with dizziness! I bit the bullet and called the midwife today as dizzy, breathless and light headed daily. Doesn't last all day but still not pleasant. Got a gp appointment tomorrow and bloods to check iron levels and thyroid etc.
I'm usually a daily walker but scared to go on my own after nearly hitting the deck on Saturday.

Hi all just checking in, mostly just a lurker 😂 GTT came back as negative and today we got the new pram for baby. Almost at 29 weeks now and rather then reaching the next week it's become more of a countdown of how many weeks left until baby is here (although my other three were all about two weeks after their due date 😂😩)

Just got my heart scan results back from yesterday and there's fluid around my heart. Apparently the cardiologist said it can be normal in pregnancy but I need the scan repeating every few weeks now to check it's not getting worse. Have to say I'm pretty terrified now. There isn't much on Google about fluid around the mothers heart good or bad so just feel a bit in limbo

Sorry to hear that @rupertbear91 rather than turn to google I’d trust the cardiologist 🫶🏼I’m sure if it were not normal they would say otherwise!

Not sure if anyone has started stocking up on nappies yet.. but I bought a few in Aldi today, size 1 were 75p!! (4-11lbs) what a bargain?

@rupertbear91 ah so sorry! Not one I’ve heard of but I hope you get some more clarity and support: do you have a number to call for a follow up?
my sister has a genetic heart condition and had surgery to repair she had three babies all healthy and happy and normal pregnancies 💕 so hope that eases you somewhat, if at all. Pretty sure just meant a monitor of her as well in labour.

Had My first bath in forever tonight ! Wow now I see why you ladies like them when pregnant 😂 might order myself some pampering goodies for the bath so I can indulge during this last trimester. Painted the radiator cover for the nursery in the colour we’ve chosen. Took me 5 hours on and off … can’t believe it 😂 glad I’ve got a handy man coming to do the woodwork!

For anyone feeling a bit faint and shaky, this was me a few weeks ago and I was recommended by the midwife (over the phone) to take some ferrous sulphate as these are classic symptoms of being low/anaemic. She said liquid is better on your stomach but all my partner managed to get was the tablets. I did 2 a day (my own made up prescription there 😂) but it worked. My dizziness subsided and as I had 2 sets of bloods taken, one just after taking them and the other a week later, my iron levels had gone up ever so slightly.

I don’t know if anyone else shared this but I was feeling really jittery and when out shopping in the supermarket, I couldn’t keep still. I kept wanting to crouch on the floor. It was so odd. I’d just be in the aisle either leaned over the trolley or crouched down. Anyways, after a short while on the ferrous sulphate I haven’t felt like that since

@rupertbear91 Oh gosh, I hope you’re ok? 🩷 I can imagine your head is all over the place but please remember, google is not your friend (in any situation - fact!!) you’ll just end up trawling the internet until you come across something that confirms your fears, no matter what it is or whether the source is even reliable. So just focus on what your own consultant tells you, if they aren’t worried, try not to worry. Sending you a big hug xx

@Honeyandsunshine1 thanks for the ferrous sulphate info, I am investing tomorrow for sure! I was jittery on Friday and having to crouch down - all at Jeremy Clarksons Farm and in the shop (I'd taken my friend who'd not been before else would have skipped it) today has been another jittery day too but just a pottering day at home so not too bad, I need to try something because I don't like that feeling. Did it take a few days to kick in can you remember?

I'm 30 weeks tomorrow and have the health visitor coming to visit. Strangely looking forward to it but no idea what it will entail.

I’ve just had my obs done in triage after feeling off the past few days and a bad headache that wouldn’t leave today and they also reckon it could be my iron levels, just waiting on the results. My area prescribe everyone ferrous sulfate at booking appt now but it was making me constipated so I stopped taking it as was feeling fine so lesson learned I guess.

Thanks so much for giving me the heads up on this being what it was @RosiePH as I hadn't joined the dots. I've just spoken to my midwife and she agrees it sounds like early PGP. she's referred me to the pelvic physio at the hospital but said the waiting list is a month, so in the meantime recommended I buy one of those gym balls to support my pelvic alignment.

Honestly... just thinking about the advice we get... don't walk too long it'll aggravate the backache, don't lie on your back you'll cut off the blood supply, don't sit down too long it'll aggravate your piles, don't lie on your side too long you'll get reflux... the joys of pregnancy!

@rupertbear91 thinking of you tonight, it sounds scary but if your cardiologist isn't worried then I would try to take my cue from them

@MudandMoet Yes!! Sounds so similar to me. It was so odd, like, why crouching? 😂 I kept feeling a bit sort of panicky and restless. Aside from that, was the farm shop visit any good? I guess you’re probably used to farm produce anyway but what a thoughtful friend you are 🥰

It does take a few days to kick in so be prepared. As @Cat2022 says above they (mainly the tablets, I think) can make people constipated and your 💩 will become dark but don’t panic 😂 I’ve personally not experienced constipation this whole pregnancy but if you’re prone to it, maybe think about the liquid.

I started mine after calling my mat department to explain how I was feeling and they gave the advice over the phone and My partner bought the ferrous sulphate for me that afternoon whilst at work. I then had my bloods taken a few days later in the MAU and they came back with low iron. I then had my glucose test bloods almost a week later and the iron had risen ever so slightly so they definitely work. I have now (thankfully) lost the title of “crouching potato” in my local Tesco 🕺 😂