MSE Pregnancy Club 23

Dinah93

Phew, finally had a good catch up of everything since the 18th.

Hope things improve for you lovecrafting.

Congratulations Phoenix, Lirin, Kimmy and JenJade!

Great tip on the huggies New Born packs on offer, are these usually in the Tesco and Asda baby weeks in the Spring?

I'd like to use cloth nappies, but from what I've heard it's a lot to handle with a newborn and a lot of new mums use disposables for the first couple of months then swap. If anyone has experience or knowledge of cloth nappies I'd love some advice on whether it's worth trying from birth, and if so how on earth do I know which ones to go for?

Wanting gifts doesn't make you materialistic Gilly, everone feels loved in different ways. Some of our friends gave us a book at our wedding called 'the 5 love languages' and I found it made a lot of sense. My DH feels loved a through quaility time together and physical affection, whereas I'm much more 'words don't mean anything if the actions don't match' and I tend to be more towards acts of service (doing things for the other person). The other two are gifts and words of affirmation (compliments, saying I love you etc). You're likely to assume your OH feels special in the same ways you do, and I found understanding how he feels loved really helpful as now if he's feeling blue I know that some quick hugs and kisses, or taking him out for dinner will perk him right up, just as he knows to run me a bath and tell me he's doing dinner and will have the kitchen mopped by the time I come out makes me feel completely spoilt!

Already outgrew my maternity bra's I bought in mid-December, I really hope they don't keep growing at this rate all through pregnancy. The new ones I ordered are on the small side too, going to have to actually go down to Mothercare tomorrow and try some on.

Not sure if my blood pressure is running high, it was 145/90 a week before Christmas, but I've had a bit of a headache and my fingers were so swollen I had to take my wedding rings off on Christmas day. I used the home cuff this morning to get a rough idea (which I know I shouldn't do since my consultant went mental at me for using it during pregnancy and believing the results, but it's always been quite acurate for me) and that said 128/98 which means it's probably still on the high side, but hopefully not that close together! Think I'm supposed to go play hunt the midwife tomorrow, so can get it checked out.

For someone who asked the biggest change you can make to lower the blood pressure is to cut out salt. Apparently it makes a huge difference, I looked at the doctor blankly though as I don't use any salt in my cooking really.

What is anyone doing about contraception after the birth? I'm at a bit of a loss and it's bothering me. I'm a lot cheerier since coming off the implant (didn't realise just how depressed it seemed to make me), I can't take the combined pill due to blood pressure, the mini pill and injection use the same hormones as the implant. Condoms are a no go as DH can't finish with them on. I wish the male pill would hurry up!

Amymo, if your wages drop that late before your due date you'll still get your pre-pg wage as the one for your maternity pay, as your qualifying week is the 15th week before the baby is due, which means your wage in that week is what they calculate off.

I've been having those kind of pains down the sides when I stand up since 13 weeks Gilly, I have no idea what they are either. I was concerned given they sometimes have me doubled over and often have me wincing but the midwife just said it's the baby growing.

Givnzt my company still pays their contributions at the normal level throughout maternity leave, but I don't pay anything at all. So for me it would be very bad to drop my contributions now. The qualifying week is the 15th before the baby is due (so 25th week I think that is) so this is when your pay needs to be at the optimum level.

Lisa the child tax benefits threashold is due to drop to £24,000 in the next tax year, it's over £40,000 at the moment.

Mammoth post completed.

lisa26_2

Hi ladies, not read back yet but wanted to ask a quick question first,

Gilly, when you had the problem with a big measurement in the baby's head was it the Transcerebellar diameter (TCD)? I had my repeat 20 week scan yesterday (as baby was naughty last time!) and the measurement for that was small. They said they think its ok but were going to check with the consultant. I don't have to see him or anything so I assume that I have to wait and see if I hear anything and assume its ok if not! I've had a bit of a google and it seems that it can be an indicator of chromosonal defect such as downs syndrome but luckily we had the CVS done after our high downs syndrome risk and it was all clear so we know its nothing like that! Honestly, its just like its one thing after another with this little monster!!

emmylou83_2

Congrats Kimmy and MrKimmy
Sorry u had such a pants night Gilly, mine wasnt much better, couldnt sleep til 1 am , woke up quite a few times b4 DD3 decided to get up at 5 am eeek! So feeling rather exhausted right now. ALtho, i am rather chuffed with myself, didnt get up to use the toilet between 10.30 and 5.30 so yay me haha!
I dont even know if we have a H&B here, havent seen one in the 2 yrs i`ve lived here, so will prob have to order some online will do a search in a min.
Only 3 more days, and then I can officially say lil man is due "next month"!!! xx

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Well still 2cm dilated (I think) and 75% effacement . . . Whon would have thought that 1cm thickness would be so difficult to erm . . get rid off!!! I personally think its because i have been sitting with my feet up on the recliners throughout so bump hasnt been pushing down.

Curry and pineapple didnt work - just made flump go MENTAL inside (I swear she was doing star jumps!) and gave me indigestion lol

Another sweep on Sunday then being induced on Tuesday. Kinda hoping she stays put until Tuesday (Quite like the January Birthday - will be more easier i think for birthday pressies lol)

Congratulations Kimmy! xx (Im not jealous . . MUCH!!!!!!!!!!:o) lol

Hope everyone else is ok!

Gillyx

lisa26 wrote: »

Hi ladies, not read back yet but wanted to ask a quick question first,

Gilly, when you had the problem with a big measurement in the baby's head was it the Transcerebellar diameter (TCD)? I had my repeat 20 week scan yesterday (as baby was naughty last time!) and the measurement for that was small. They said they think its ok but were going to check with the consultant. I don't have to see him or anything so I assume that I have to wait and see if I hear anything and assume its ok if not! I've had a bit of a google and it seems that it can be an indicator of chromosonal defect such as downs syndrome but luckily we had the CVS done after our high downs syndrome risk and it was all clear so we know its nothing like that! Honestly, its just like its one thing after another with this little monster!!

It was the ventricles in his head, basically the gap between the left side of the brain and the right side of the brain? If that makes any sense at all? It's all to do with fluid levels though and if my fluid levels are high, so are his and vice versa, we went back after a month and they'd shrunk again so who knows.

He has a massive head though :rotfl: so I'm convinced that contributed in some way.

lovecrafting

Dinah93 wrote: »

Phew, finally had a good catch up of everything since the 18th.

Hope things improve for you lovecrafting.







Not sure if my blood pressure is running high, it was 145/90 a week before Christmas, but I've had a bit of a headache and my fingers were so swollen I had to take my wedding rings off on Christmas day. I used the home cuff this morning to get a rough idea (which I know I shouldn't do since my consultant went mental at me for using it during pregnancy and believing the results, but it's always been quite acurate for me) and that said 128/98 which means it's probably still on the high side, but hopefully not that close together! Think I'm supposed to go play hunt the midwife tomorrow, so can get it checked out.

For someone who asked the biggest change you can make to lower the blood pressure is to cut out salt. Apparently it makes a huge difference, I looked at the doctor blankly though as I don't use any salt in my cooking really.

What is anyone doing about contraception after the birth? I'm at a bit of a loss and it's bothering me. I'm a lot cheerier since coming off the implant (didn't realise just how depressed it seemed to make me), I can't take the combined pill due to blood pressure, the mini pill and injection use the same hormones as the implant. Condoms are a no go as DH can't finish with them on. I wish the male pill would hurry up!

.

Thank you, i hope so too, baby is still in there tho so its all good. I am still half dead with whatever it is i have at the moment but i can breathe today wich helps alot.

good luck playing hunt the midwife, i had to find mine yesturday and ended up phoning the ante natal ward just to speak to someone.

it was me that asked about blood pressure, i have cut salt out of my diet as much as i can but still have the swollen fingers, headaches nausea etc.

re contraception: i am struggling with what to use, the way i feel at the moment a vasectomy isnt out of the question lol. the implant had the same effect i ended up on anti depressants and went all suisidal, wont be taking that again, the combined pill plays havoc with my pcos and condoms are just not going to happen and i cant use the coil (i see the coil as being like an abortion) i am seriously debating asking for sterilisation.


re the rlt. it is not recomended before 37 weeks if you have previously had premature births same with the evening primrose oil (do not tell your mw you are using this she will flip)

re the quick births: i have seen both sides of the coin, dd3 was less than an hr, my waters broke in bed at 5.30am we went straight to the hospital and her head was out in the car park at 6am she was officially born at 06.17
with dd1 it was three days of pure hell

4nnabella

Dinah93 wrote: »

I'd like to use cloth nappies, but from what I've heard it's a lot to handle with a newborn and a lot of new mums use disposables for the first couple of months then swap. If anyone has experience or knowledge of cloth nappies I'd love some advice on whether it's worth trying from birth, and if so how on earth do I know which ones to go for?

We're going to be using cloth, but not until after the first few weeks, just so we can get the hang of things first! Also, if you're using shaped nappies, I've heard that they can leak quite a lot on little bottoms... The general consensus that I seem to have found is that it's best to wait until baby is approx 10lbs, although some people say you can use cloth from birth. I think it depends on the nappy and how good a fit it is.

I found a couple of women in the local area who do a nappy advisory service (and you can also buy through them and they get commission, but the advisory bit is free), so I went to see both of them and they showed us the different types of nappy, talked through pros and cons etc, and we then decided which type of nappy we liked best. We have now bought a full set of nappies which should theoretically see us through to potty-training, providing the nappies suit. The woman we ordered our nappies through also does trial packs where you can buy, for example, five nappies which are a variety of the different types, so at least then you get to try each one for yourself once baby has arrived and you can then buy more of the ones you like best.

Also, check if your council do a cashback scheme. Ours gives £25 cashback if you spend £50 on cloth.

Dinah93

Sterilisation/vasectomy isn't really an option here as this is our first and we'd certainly like at least one more. As soon as those days are done he's off for the snip though.

Found the midwife, although she seemed utterly confused why I was there (my usual drop in only opens on a Monday and that was a bank holiday so she told me to come to this drop in was an answer met with much suspicion). BP is still running a bit high at 130/92. Have my 16 week appointment on Tuesday, then back to the consultant on the 9th. I'm guessing they're going to throw more pills into the mix although I know my bp will drop once I'm off work as it's very stressful there atm.

Pharmacist told me I was fine to take strepsils for my sore throat which is great, shame paracetamol isn't touching the pain in my ears though. DH is doing a very good job of taking care of me as it seems to have come and gone with him a lot quicker than with me.

Thanks 4nnabella. I did check our council but nothing here. I'll see if I can find someone who might do an advisory service, a trial pack sounds ideal.

lovecrafting

I just went to the chemist to get something, i need to be able to breathe properly its annoying, im not bothered too much about the mushy head and know full well im not allowed to take paracetamol but needed something for my nose and throat, the pharmasist gave me some nasal spray and said i can use that.

aparently i have to go and get some petrol because the car has none..well considering i dont drive its not my problem hubby can do it. bread is in the oven and aparently smells amazing, i wouldnt know i cant smell a thing.

Lucy1973

Back from 32 week check. Everything good. One of the liver function tests is only slightly raised but nothing to worry about(was getting a little itchy so worried about having OC). One of the liver funtion tests was at the same level in 2007 apparently(was having reg checks for this because of my arthritis medication). So am reassured.

Bp check was a bit of a pain as it was quite high,after about 5 goes it reached a good level after doing some deep breathing. I would have had to have gone back next week for another check otherwise.

Check ups every 2 weeks from now on.:)