12-24 weeks pregnant (part 3)

cmace2

view wrote: »

I note some folk have mentioned NCT classes to include the 'dad/male partner'... does your NHS class not? We are offered 4 NHS classes and the midwife said the men come along to all... is there a massive difference in the NHS and NCT aside from having to pay for NCT?

*de-lurking*

I've just finished both sets of courses.

My NHS ones I had 3 x 1.5hr sessions, one on labour, one on breast feeding, and one on bringing the baby home. Partners were welcome but these took place on a Wednesday at 5pm and OH doesn't finish work til 5.30pm and as we were going to NCT classes too he didn't try and get the time off. There were about 10 couples at the first session, but this dwindled to about 5/6 couples in the next two. There were no personals, barely said a word to anyone else and it was all spoken to us with no interactive exercises. They started late at every session and in the last class she had to ask what the session was supposed to be on (we had someone different do each session). We didn't get taught things like how to put a nappy on or bath a baby. Don't get me wrong, I learnt a lot from them and would have thought them adequate if I hadn't of then gone to NCT classes....

My NCT classes were also run over three sessions: 2 x 6 hours and 1 x 2.5 hr breast feeding with a breast feeding counsellor. It was £180. There were about 10 couples and we all introduced ourselves, had time to chat among ourselves so really got to make friends. I got so much out of the classes and really wish they had been longer but they were just brilliant. They were very interactive and the teacher was great. We all went to the pub together after the last session and have a reunion in three months time (as some women weren't due til September). As snobby as it sounds but I don't care, you aren't just paying for the quality of the course, as you are with people who have also paid out for a course I think they are more invested in the journey of having a baby and we will have a better quality of friendship. I hope that came across in the right way!

lilmissreading

We get one all day class 9.30-3.30pm when I am 31 weeks and DH can come through the NHS. As I am more interested in friends than education this seems insufficient. There are drop in breast feeding classes in a range of areas on a range of days.

Locally, i have the option of 3 drop in lazy daisy classes but everyone will be off giving birth so I will be the baby if you will. Then they run a six week course from weeks 34-39 for me and worried there will be no friends there either as I might go off and give birth in the middle for all i know!

Like I say as i am want to meet friends with babies the same age, my final option was NCT. They do classes in my 33rd and 34th week over 3 evenings (one for 3 hours, 2 for 2 hours) and 2 daytimes (9-2pm) plus a post meet up in November. This made the most sense date wise.

view - the movements have been definitely the defining moments of my pg to date. It was when it started feeling more real and reassuring. I cried once when I felt mine move too mostly i am a pg gumbler but moments like that make it worth it.

I am going off at 37 weeks, doing a half week weeks 35 and 36 and 3 four day weeks for 32-34 weeks. Mixture of flexi time and leave.

view

Thanks for the info lilmiss and cmace2 - I think I'll do a bit of research into NCT and see if they're for us. We have a few friends who have babies or very little children near by so we wouldn't be looking to the classes for friends as such, but of course if that was a side affect it's a good thing.

I'm glad others feel the same re movements... once you actually know they are the real deal it's amazing !! I keep putting my hand on my bump to see if I can feel it again :-) :-)

Really sorry if this is tmi... however, has anyone's areola (area around the nipple) become itchy and scaly? I have googled and scared the absolute living hell out of myself. There's no scaling or broken skin on the nipple but very itchy, red and inflamed on the areola. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Trying not to jump to horrible conclusions and will try to get a doctors apt this week. Not looking for medical advice, just wondered if anyone else had this happen?

freebiequennie

View yep only on left one n is white flaky like dead skin that comes away from itching think it's completely normal

freshstart11

d anyone movements feel more....painful than not? Sounds odd I know but my kitten fell asleep on belly low down and was purring away and after 3mins had a sharp knock. I doubt it's baby as 16w and anterior placenta but wishful thinking...

tia86

View that is a problem I don't have though do have patches of dry skin and think that is a normal part of pregnancy.
If you are looking at NCT I would do it asap, I booked mine after 16 week midwife as heard the heart and felt reassured, am very glad I did as now just a couple of weeks later the course I booked is no longer showing online so guess it is full. Think it depends on the area and how many they run, I have booked one more for November babies as next one was for January babies which might be why it booked so soon.

Freebie I have no advice about the pushchair, perhaps go and see it? Have you looked at it new in the shops and know its what you want?

view

Thanks ladies for putting my mind at rest a bit about the patches of dry skin. As mentioned I googled and scared the heck out of myself. I've been putting bio oil and also cream on so hopefully that will help. If not I'll be straight to the doctors... don't want to bring things down but if you google dry skin on areola it doesn't come up with great results.. arrrggg Dr Google at it again! ;-)

There are loads of NCT classes still available around my area, I put in my dates and seven classes across the city came up (from 12). We're still weighing the pros and cons and will make up our mind this week I think. I'm just not sure what we'll get for the money aside from information, which obviously is good however we both will be attending the NHS classes together and have a lot of friends nearby with babies or very young children. Just trying to weigh up the benefits for the outlay if you know what I mean?

Have been having horrible cramps today. They don't last and there's no other signs of anything but feeling off. Not the nauseous feeling I had constantly during first 5 months but a different feeling...almost like period cramps. Anyone had this? I think it's quite normal...

Hope you're all having a great day ladies and again thanks for your chat x

edit - just decided to bite the bullet rather than sit here and worry and will see a doctor at 530 tonight... managed to get an emergency appointment - although it's not an emergency but the doctors hold back for some who phone up on the day and they have a cancellation.. rather just go with it than sit here and worry!

tia86

Well I had a real pregnancy wobble at the doctors. She checked urine and everything seemed OK. I asked whether they could check the heartbeat which is when I just ended up crying! She suggested ringing the midwife and offered to do blood tests but I ended up just feeling really stupid and that I was wasting time so didn't book anything. She offered to call the midwife for me but said I would do it, but now thinking that it makes no difference calling now or waiting 2 more weeks for the scan, and if I call the midwife and everything is OK I will feel even more embarrassed. No idea what the blood tests would have been for either as she said that they would do them because I am pregnant, so don't think I will bother trying to book that either as am away next week and getting an appointment will be difficult.
Now wish I could stop crying, as I am not sure what I am even crying about.

View hope your appointment goes OK

view

tia86 wrote: »

Well I had a real pregnancy wobble at the doctors. She checked urine and everything seemed OK. I asked whether they could check the heartbeat which is when I just ended up crying! She suggested ringing the midwife and offered to do blood tests but I ended up just feeling really stupid and that I was wasting time so didn't book anything. She offered to call the midwife for me but said I would do it, but now thinking that it makes no difference calling now or waiting 2 more weeks for the scan, and if I call the midwife and everything is OK I will feel even more embarrassed. No idea what the blood tests would have been for either as she said that they would do them because I am pregnant, so don't think I will bother trying to book that either as am away next week and getting an appointment will be difficult.
Now wish I could stop crying, as I am not sure what I am even crying about.

View hope your appointment goes OK

you poor thing xx take a deep breath and let the worry disappear. Remember the main things...you aren't doubled up in chronic pain, you're not bleeding heavily and you're not into late late pregnancy and not feeling the baby move.

However, if you are even the teeniest bit worried, which I think you are - phone the midwife now. Talk to her - that's what they're here for. You're not wasting anyone's time - that is their job and they receive phone calls from women of all ages and pregnancy stages about minor, medium and major things every day of their working life.

Or you'll spend another day/night worrying yourself silly. I was worried in the past and rang my midwife who sent me to the hospital.. which panicked me even more. Saw the midwife at the hosp eventually, she heard the heartbeat and I floated into a sense of calm and peace. Just do it! Would you rather be sure or 'run the risk' of being embarrassed... embarrassed about what? There's no need my dear x

You'll be crying and not knowing at what as it's a stressful time this baby making business! Plus your hormones are all over... I had a few nights distraught but couldn't tell OH why, it just is what it is.

I wish you the best and again, just phone the midwife rather than spend another night/day worrying yourself x

tia86

Thank you view for your lovely message. Have decided to wait until mid week as the midwife is then in at my GP surgery so if still worried will try and get an appointment then.
How did your appointment go?