December 2013 Rainbow Babies

[elleff]

Beth the viability thing feels major, I'm just thankful for everyday beyond that! I was reading about survival rates now and they are just rocketing everyday. It's a massive comfort.
I cannot believe you have even thought about your hospital bag! You are so organised!!

Kater have you seen the specialist? How did it go? Hope you were ok on your angels due date

Olive how you feeling? Did the dreaded cold kick in? I've only just got rid of mine! I know what you mean about the worry when they are quiet! I think I notice so much because most of the time she is wriggling so when I go a few hours without feeling it I start to wonder why. And then it's as if she knows what I'm thinking and will give me a good kick!
729 squares!?! Good luck with that! I have a blanket like that that my grandma knitted and I love it to bits it's huge.

AFM, 25 weeks tomorrow! 15 to go..... Sometimes it feels like I hardly have any time left other times it feels like I have a million years left of pregnancy.
I just want her here now! Other than rearranging our house I have most of the things I need (I think) so I'm pretty relaxed. We are booking a holiday for a couple of weeks time so we can go and get some sun on our bones before the serious responsibility kicks in!! I think when we come back from the we'll start rearranging the bedrooms.
The nesting is really paying off at the moment though, my house looks great haha!! (But my bank balance does not!!)

 

[elleff]

How are you all doing ladies?
Has anyone else just become ridiculously tired? I can barely keep my eyes open during the day, and my ankles have started hurting? I'm hoping its just after effects of a busy weekend and not going to be like this for the rest of my pregnancy?!

Hope you're all ok!

 

[Ducktales]

Yes- I am also ridiculously tired- I know third tri is supposed to be like this but I am just exhausted
My sickness only stopped a couple of weeks ago
Where is my glowing phase?!!!

 

[elleff]

Ah sorry you're feeling rubbish too! I was definitely glowing in the second tri! I felt great but now I feel like I did in the first tri. I have had really sore ankles, feet and legs the last couple of nights too. They are not swollen though so hoping it stays like that. I read yesterday swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia (whatever that actually is..) so keeping an eye on them. My husband is tired of my moaning already and its only been this week haha

 

[Olivette]

So pleased to see someone else mention being ridiculously tired. I actually suffer with a long term health condition that has a lovely side effect of chronic fatigue. I was beginning to think that I'd relapsed slightly with my health as I've been feeling so much more fatigued than what is 'normal'. I kept telling myself it surely can't be possible too be feeling so tired at this point in pregnancy and surely I should be glowing so it must be my health regressing. It's a relief to see someone else say they are struggling with tiredness! I think I skipped the glowing stage all together.

I've been suffering with SPD after the Doc finally diagnosing what was going. Ouchy . That adds to my usual pain from my illness. It makes it so much harder to work out what's 'normal' and what's pregnancy! I'd not realised you could suffer with anything like SPD, especially early on in a pregnancy. Being a month away from 3rd trimester though sure is scary!

Ox

 

[elleff]

How are we all doing ladies??

Olivette thats awful you've got SPD! I remember working with a woman who had it and swore she'd never get pregnant again. (She did though ) Can they give you anything for it?

How is everyone else doing? The thread is so quiet these days!!

I had a little bit of a moment on sunday...felt reduced movement over the weekend, so called my midwife sunday afternoon and she said to call the maternity ward. They asked me to go straight down! So we went down, they checked me over and said everything is fine! HB was 156 and midwife could feel her moving about. She said baby was probably facing my back so kicking my organs which you don't feel as much.
I was so relieved. She also said they'd rather check us over everyday than get to us too late so please ladies if you're worried about anything at all you must go in!!

Apart from that things seem to be going well... I can't believe I only have 2 little boxes left on my ticker!!!!

 

[Olivette]

Hi Elleff and the rest of you lovely ladies!

So sorry to hear you had reduced movement over the weekend. Gosh that must have been so worrying/scary! It's great to hear that your midwife and maternity unit where so supportive and things where checked up really quickly! Must have been so reassuring to hear the heartbeat and know she was moving around.

I have the odd day each week where she's more quiet than usual, and it worries me every week. I do feel her a few times but not as active as the rest of the week. I put it down to her growing and having a lazy day and like you say, maybe she gets herself facing towards my organs, that would make sense too! She returns to normal after the quiet day, it's formed a kind of pattern so I think it must just be normal for her.

AFM:

I had my 24 week appointment yesterday at home (an extra one as it's our first baby) and the midwife gave me a big leaflet about reduced movement. Lucky it's never got to the point of trying the laying down for an hour with a cold drink and something sugary and check on kicks - it must have been so worrying for you! So glad your little baba is ok!

The SPD has been a pain (hehe). I mentioned it to the midwife (had been my GP who diagnosed). She simply said 'it's a bit early for that', I smiled, and she changed the subject, she wasn't overly helpful really! With my other health problems that cause pain, the SPD has kind of just slotted into my life, and I've managed to transfer my normal coping mechanisms over to the SPD so so far i've been managing to cope with it. She mentioned that they could sort out Physio later on if I feel I need it but apart from that not much support was offered. So will just try to live with it for now and see how it goes! Boy is it ouchy though hehe.

Whilst on the subject of the midwife.. We'd had two appointments with the midwives up until yesterday, and had seen two different people each time. I was relieved when the midwife from my booking in appointment arrived yesterday to our home visit. She appears to me my actual midwife and seems really lovely. My husband commented afterwards that she was the 'manager of all the midwives' I thought maybe it meant she was the Supervisor of Midwives but I think on closer look she's a Midwifery Manager. She is really friendly and again felt like she was approachable so on that basis we were pleased.

Now to the bit that frustrated me.. We are opting for a home birth. For many reasons, but one of them being that stress triggers my illness to relapse, and I find hospital a very stressful environment and feel being at home will reduce my stress levels. I also don't feel very safe in the hospital so know for me this won't be good for giving birth.

At every appointment so far we've said we are (all going to plan) having a home birth and each time it's mentioned they've nodded and on the face of it seemed supportive. Anwyay, home visit yesterday, the midwife said 'still on course for a birth centre birth then?' and I repeated that no, we are aiming for a home birth. The response from the midwife was 'Well, you do know that that obviously depends on the availability of midwives, we only have two on call and even they need a break some times so be prepared to come into the birth centre if that is the case'. She also asked where I planned to give birth in my home as it is very small.. to say the least I was fuming. I know that it's Government policy that the NHS should support women who intend to birth at home and was half prepared for such tactics (such as saying midwives may not be available so I shall have to transfer) but it still made me angry as my midwife seemed otherwise very supportive and offhand comments like that felt like bullying tactics to get us to agree to the birth centre to make their lives easier.

Rant over. Sorry about that! I think that I may need to make it absolutely clear (in writing) that I have no intention of going into hospital to solve the Trust's staffing problems and make it clear to them that I expect midwife care, as I definitely just smiled and nodded and think I gave her the impression that i'd follow along with transferring if they have staff issues, which wasn't my intention.

Everything else is progressing well. Blood pressure and urine was fine, heartbeat normal (we heard it for the first time, she found it straight away but baby girl kicked the doppler away so she had to go hunt for her as she'd moved! ) mood score of 1 (14 is when they offer support) and everything progressing well. We hit V day yesterday - it all feels very surreal and hard to believe that a) it's going so fast and b) she's healthy and doing well.

I have had a few wobbly moments where I've thought back to the previous babies. I try to remind myself that without them, our baby girl wouldn't be here and feel blessed to be pregnant with a healthy baby but it is a rollacoster of a time!

I hope everyone else is doing well!

Ox

 

[SugarBeth]

Doing well here! I'm equal parts both eager for the end and really starting to fear the end! I know it's going to be rough again, but I am so excited for this baby.

I can't seem to stop shopping, either! I started pregnancy thinking boy clothing is boring, and then I found some online stores that have me buying at least once a week!

I'm almost all done Christmas shopping, I just have one more order to put in and then I'll be done for both kids. Just gotta wait until the stores bring their wrapping paper in so I can be all done sometime next month.

Baby seems to have flipped head down, which is causing SO much unbearable pressure. It hurts so much, and it's making everything swollen. I hate how uncomfortable I am now, and I'm not even in third tri yet! Though thats not far away either, 8 more days!

 

[elleff]

Olivette - I know what you mean, I saw a different mw on my very first appointment but have seen the same lady since my second one. She's really nice but I feel like I'm just in and out. Check urine, BP, and last time I went she listened to the HB and measured my fundal length (which was spot on!). I'm going again tomorrow for my 28 week appt and I have to have blood taken, even though I'm not sure what for...
I don't know when they start telling us about birthing options or anti natal classes? I'll ask tomorrow but I kind of feel like I'm on a production line when I go in so don't like to take up too much of their time!!

I do think if there is no medical reason for concern etc you should be able to have a home birth. I am a bit worried that they've been going over this with you as nobody has even mentioned birth to me! I'm wondering if she's forgetting its my first baby!? They shouldn't be finding reasons for you not to do it at home or trying to put you off?!

I know what you mean about our little angels but you're right. Without them we wouldn't be having these little babies. I am going to make sure my little girl knows all about her big brother/sister. Not just 'my mum lost a baby before me'. I want her to know how much we loved that baby for the short time it was in our lives, and also then how special it made this one when we got pregnant again.

Beth, it must be scary when you didn't have a great labour last time!! I really hope this one is better for you!!
I can't believe you are organised for christmas!! I havent even thought about it and I really need to as our family is huge. Sorry you're so uncomfortable! Not long left now, we're so nearly there!

AFM - Everything is going well. We are flying out to Portugal on Friday for a 9 day break in the sunshine. Lots of reading and relaxing before our holidays are completely different!!
I have had to get a note from my GP to say I'm ok to fly, I'm hoping this means I'll get on the plane first haha. I am so nervous about it all but also really excited to be able to spend some time with my husband and drag him away from work for a while! I am definitely going to miss the wine though!!!! first ever alcohol free holiday?!
Baby is moving so much at the moment. I spend most of the evenings just lying down watching my belly jump around! I can't tell what anything is yet, so I don't think she stays in the same position for very long. Hopefully soon I'll start to see those little hands and feet pressing through my skin!
12 weeks to go
When we get back from our holiday we're going to get everything finished off and sorted and by week 35 we'll get things down from the attic (pram etc) so that we're ready to rock, whenever she decides to make an appearance!!

 

[katerdid]

Sorry I haven't updated! Haven't been on BnB for ages.

Had my specialist appt. They confirmed the one vessel cord and the thick chordae tendineae, also found a few small placenta lakes. Baby was measuring 10 days behind by femur length. I will have to have growth scans every 4 weeks til the birth to make sure she doesn't get too far behind.

I lost some plug the other day and have been having intense period pains and my cervix has been crazy sore and lots of pressure. So tomorrow my midwife is going to stop by and lend me a support belt and to *gulp* check my cervix for infection and dilation. Bit worried, hoping it's nothing. I know baby is still very low and loves to headbutt me all day long, so really want it to be just that and nothing serious.

 

[elleff]

How you doing kater? How's everyone doing?

 

[katerdid]

Doing ok-ish haha. Had a growth scan at 25 weeks, baby was measuring a few days ahead this time! We deffo had a major growth spurt - I got quite big from 24 to 25 weeks hooray! My cervix length was measured via transvag u/s and no sign of funneling, it's a tad short, at 3cm, normal is 4-3.5 but it's not considered scary until I go under 2.5, so I'm not worrying. Also had a neg fFN test at 24 weeks, which was soooo reassuring!

Still having yucky pelvic pains, cramps, regular BH that sometimes freak me out as they are soo like real contrax! For the past 5 days straight now, I've been having wave-like BH, sometimes they come regularly every 4 mins or so for hours and hours. It's like being in prodromal labor, pretty much sucks. I think my uterus is getting really grumpy lol. I'm deffo not dehydrated, I have been really good at drinking a big glass of water every hour, my urine is almost clear. And actively level doesn't affect it. Sooo, I dunno. Guess I just have to deal with it. Long warm baths, hot tea, and yoga are really helping me stay relaxed and in turn that seems to make them not nearly as painful.

 

[SugarBeth]

Doing well here! Nothing much to report so far, it's been a pretty relaxed pregnancy! Just took my glucose test a few days ago and crossing my fingers for good results. Definitely getting harder to get around as well now! Baby takes up so much room and he's a wild one!

 

[elleff]

How are you ladies doing?? we don't have very long left now! I wonder who will have an early baby! another website I'm part of have had a few december babies born already! I hope ours all come when they are healthy and ready!

Things have been going well for me although its getting hard to get around etc now and I'm waking up a lot more in the night and struggling to get back to sleep. I'm also BOILING hot all the time! I can't cool myself down its crazy! Had a couple of episodes of reduced movement so ended up having a scan yesterday after being monitored. My little monkey is fine and nice and chunky! she just likes to get herself into awkward positions so shes kicking my back instead of forward so I feel a lot less. She seems to have shifted again today though as my belly has been rolling all over the place!

I think we pretty much have everything ready for her arrival. Decorating is done, clothes are washed, hospital bag is packed! I've even done some christmas shopping... I have 11 working days left until I can relax! I'm so ready for it!

I hope you ladies are all doing well and the last little stretch goes quickly. Who would have ever thought we'd get this far!? In some ways I feel like I've been pregnant forever, in other ways I cannot believe I am 34 weeks pregnant and will have a baby anytime in the next few weeks. Its quite overwhelming. Im pretty terrified about labour but just trying to watch as many birthing programmes as possible so I can remind myself that the women are screaming one minute and have big smiles on their faces the next so just remember there is an end to the pain!!!

Big hugs ladies, I hope you're all doing brilliantly xoxo

 

[SugarBeth]

We're all ready to go here, just waiting now. All clothing is washed up and sorted in his dresser, the swings and bouncers are in his nursery, the carseat is sitting in the nursery waiting to go in the car, the hospital bags are all packed. We even have baby boy signed up with a pediatrician. Just waiting!

Third tri is taking a toll on me though. Everything hurts constantly, stairs are so hard, I have painful BH every day, and I'm always just exhausted. I'm starting to reach that point where I'm okay with being done with this pregnancy. Before, I was afraid to let it go because it's been my easiest pregnancy yet, but third tri always gets to me!

I'm going to be 33 weeks in two days, so the wait won't be too much longer!

 

[SugarBeth]

How's everyone doing? We should all be near labor time at this point! Our rainbows are about to appear!

 

[elleff]

My little girl Zoe Billie arrived on Thursday 28th November at 12.58pm weighing 6lb 8oz!
She is utterly amazing. Good luck to the rest of you, you're nearly there!

 

[SugarBeth]

That's wonderful! Congratulations!

I'm due in 10 days and SO overly eager to have him now. Every day I wake up and sort of beg him to come on out. I can't wait to have him here!

 

[Olivette]

Congratulations Elleff! That's absolutely wonderful news!

You're almost there SugarBeth! Only 10 days to go!

AFM - I've had a pretty good time these past few weeks. My SPD is now quite painful and totally exhausted all of the time but plodding along. Bags are now pretty much packed and birth preferences sheet has been printed. I've not had any real signs of anything though so I think we're in it for the long haul!

Ox

 

[elleff]

Thanks ladies, I'll post a proper birth story ASAP xx