Due Sept 2017

[Dani_b]

Yeh in the UK you only ge weighed at your booking appointment and then again at your final appointment before your due date. I remember finding it strange with my first so I asked my midwife why my weight wasn't being monitored and she said because as long as the baby is measuring fine and your urine samples/blood pressure etc is ok then it really doesn't matter how much weight the woman has or hasn't put on :/ x

I've only ever been weighed at my booking, never before my due date. Must be something they do different in different areas

 

[Tess08]

Yeh in the UK you only ge weighed at your booking appointment and then again at your final appointment before your due date. I remember finding it strange with my first so I asked my midwife why my weight wasn't being monitored and she said because as long as the baby is measuring fine and your urine samples/blood pressure etc is ok then it really doesn't matter how much weight the woman has or hasn't put on :/ x

I've only ever been weighed at my booking, never before my due date. Must be something they do different in different areas

Yeh possibly. With my first I was weighed at my booking and then again at my appointment when I was 39+4. My bump was measuring really big with her though so maybe that's why she weighed me at my final app x

 

[Savasanna]

I mean, that kind of makes sense. Weight can be influenced by SO much - if they're tracking baby's growth, blood pressure and urine.. I feel like that's more important than weight. Tracking weight is weird anyway - generally, my mindset is to not care too much. But of course it's hard not to see the scale go up and care SOME. We've been trained our entire lives to focus on the scale, even when you're consciously letting that go, it hangs on at the subconscious level, you know?

 

[ladybrown33]

I get weighed at every appointment, along with blood pressure, they don't check my urine. They also let me know at every appointment not only how much I weigh but how much I have gained. I think this is because of my "high risk" pregnancy. I am over 35 and have type 2 diabetes.

 

[Tess08]

Hi ladies. So at my midwife appointment today my midwife said I am measuring 2 weeks behind my actual dates (so I'm 28+2 but bump is only measuring 26) but she didn't seem bothered about this... she said they don't do anything about it unless you are 3 or more weeks behind and that she would keep an eye on the growth but then she booked my next appointment for 6 weeks time! I know she's the midwife and obviously knows better than me but I'm really concerned because if my baby's growth falls behind by another week I won't know until I'm 34 weeks by which time I'm scared it might be too late to do anything :/ x

 

[MrsKChicago]

Some women just measure small. Pay attention to movement and call if anything seems off, generally if there are true size issues you'll see a decrease in movement in plenty of time to catch it.

 

[lilmisscaviar]

They've always weighed me at every appointment... and they always freak out if I gain more than a pound a week. I think it'd be less stressful if they'd just let the weight thing slide, unless you of course had concerns. They also check my urine for protein, measure fundal height, take my blood pressure and check baby's heartbeat. One thing that the place I go to does do differently from most others I've read about is the GD test. Instead of making me drink that nasty glucose, they just have me fast overnight and go to the lab first thing in the morning to have my blood drawn.

Tess try not to stress too much. It is normal for singleton babies to measure up to 3-4 weeks either way. It could just be you're in for a smaller baby. Not necessarily a bad thing. Genetics play a huge role in baby size.

Weird question but has anyone ever had cramps or Charlie horses in their feet? For some reason I keep getting them. I've had them in my legs but never in my feet before

 

[Tess08]

I'm trying not to worry but my friend who is 3 weeks ahead of me measured 2 weeks behind just last week and was sent for a growth scan. Turns out her baby isn't growing properly so she is being given steroids to try and help the babies lungs grow quicker because they think they may need to induce her at 34 weeks to get the baby out! I spoke to her bout movement and she said she still gets lots of movement and the hospital were also really happy with babies heartbeat so literally the only thing that identified this was her scan. It's just frustrating that some midwifes think something is a concern but another midwife thinks the exact same thing is fine :/ I have actually booked a private scan for tonight because I thought there's no point in me worrying about it for 6 weeks until my next app.

Lilmiss nope I've not had it in my feet I'm afraid! Legs yes but not in feet x

 

[Babybump2017]

Tess I was gonna say the same. As long as movement doesn't seem to change then I wouldn't worry and if the midwife was worried I'd like to think she would have looked deeper into it there and then. If she's happy to send you away for another 6 weeks I'd say she sees it happen quite often. Chill mumma and remember there's a labour ward in the hospital who monitor baby if you're really worried, I'm glad I made use of them a few weeks back rather than worrying.

Is anyone else finding movements have changed slightly? It's gone from flicks and kicks to more rolling, like my belly is doing the Mexican wave except I have a baby inside and DAMN I'm finding kicks to the side (my right side) so uncomfortable!! I wouldn't even say painful but it feels awful. Just under my rib, like in the middle of my hip bone and bottom rib! Ouch! She loves to kick that spot. I am finding movements quite uncomfortable I'm not sure if that's anything to do with the fact my placenta is at the front rather than back? I might ask that when I next see the midwife on Monday actually.

Is everyone sorted with baby supplies yet? We are so close. Just need to sort out her cot and cot bedding, and I need to order the decorated letters for her nursery wall when we finally settle on a name which is driving me insane poor girl will be 5 with no name at this rate. I've made a start packing my hospital bag too, just gonna do little bits at a time. It's all becoming very real and creeping up quicker than I could've imagined. One of my friends gave birth yesterday and had the time from hell. Wasn't dilating and repeatedly being sick. That was before it properly started. So she was rushed for an emergency section as she was trying to push in a state of panic before it was time and she was in such a state it was actually dangerous for her and baby. But she's here and healthy so that's great. Meeting her tonight and I can't wait but all this has made me want my baby here

Also how long does everyone have left at work? I pack up August 18. So only a couple weeks before I'm due. But that means I'll get almost the full 9 months with the baby rather than sitting at home waiting for it to happen.

 

[Tess08]

Tess I was gonna say the same. As long as movement doesn't seem to change then I wouldn't worry and if the midwife was worried I'd like to think she would have looked deeper into it there and then. If she's happy to send you away for another 6 weeks I'd say she sees it happen quite often. Chill mumma and remember there's a labour ward in the hospital who monitor baby if you're really worried, I'm glad I made use of them a few weeks back rather than worrying.

Is anyone else finding movements have changed slightly? It's gone from flicks and kicks to more rolling, like my belly is doing the Mexican wave except I have a baby inside and DAMN I'm finding kicks to the side (my right side) so uncomfortable!! I wouldn't even say painful but it feels awful. Just under my rib, like in the middle of my hip bone and bottom rib! Ouch! She loves to kick that spot. I am finding movements quite uncomfortable I'm not sure if that's anything to do with the fact my placenta is at the front rather than back? I might ask that when I next see the midwife on Monday actually.

Is everyone sorted with baby supplies yet? We are so close. Just need to sort out her cot and cot bedding, and I need to order the decorated letters for her nursery wall when we finally settle on a name which is driving me insane poor girl will be 5 with no name at this rate. I've made a start packing my hospital bag too, just gonna do little bits at a time. It's all becoming very real and creeping up quicker than I could've imagined. One of my friends gave birth yesterday and had the time from hell. Wasn't dilating and repeatedly being sick. That was before it properly started. So she was rushed for an emergency section as she was trying to push in a state of panic before it was time and she was in such a state it was actually dangerous for her and baby. But she's here and healthy so that's great. Meeting her tonight and I can't wait but all this has made me want my baby here

Also how long does everyone have left at work? I pack up August 18. So only a couple weeks before I'm due. But that means I'll get almost the full 9 months with the baby rather than sitting at home waiting for it to happen.

Nope we aren't even nearly sorted with baby supplies we are still frantically trying to find a house before baby arrives because our little 2 bed flat is too small for 4 of us! We have no where to put anything so I've bought a few bits of clothing which I've just dumped in my daughter's room but can't buy anything bigger until we have somewhere to put it. Starting to panic a bit now about it actually because like u say, I feel like it's going mega quick too.

I finish up on 4th August which is 6 weeks before I'm due. I've saved some leave so the first 2 weeks will be annual leave then my maternity leave kicks in 4 weeks before I'm due. I went off 6 weeks before with my daughter and felt like it was a waste of time as I was so bored waiting for her to arrive but this time is so different. I'm exhausted being pregnant this time also having a 3 year old to run after to feel like I need the time off before hand to relax a bit. I also want some time just me and my baby girl before another baby comes along to shake things up a bit lol.

Yeh I feel movements have changed to a lot more rolls and stuff which I find pretty uncomfortable a lot of the time. My baby is VERY active so I get very little peace lol x

 

[gingmg]

Tess- I'm sorry you are so worried right now. How did your scan go? Can you call the midwife back and ask for an earlier next appointment? I would think, even if she doesn't think it's necessary, if she knew how worried you were she would be more than happy to see you sooner? I hope everything is okay, I'm sure it will be. Xx

 

[Tess08]

Tess- I'm sorry you are so worried right now. How did your scan go? Can you call the midwife back and ask for an earlier next appointment? I would think, even if she doesn't think it's necessary, if she knew how worried you were she would be more than happy to see you sooner? I hope everything is okay, I'm sure it will be. Xx

Thanks ging, really appreciate it. My scan is in a few hours so I'll let you know how it goes. Yeh that's what I thought. My appointments with her have been every 4 weeks up until now and then I express a genuine concern she moved the next one to 6 weeks away which is the complete opposite of what I expected her to do lol :S I'm sure my scan will put my mind at ease so can't wait for it. Also excited to see my wee bubbas face in 3D we are also taking my daughter with us so this will be the first time she's seen her little brother wriggling about. She's super excited lol x

 

[Babybump2017]

That's good she's so active tess that shows that everything is clearly fine! And yeah do let us know how your scan goes. The 3D/4D is amazing!!

 

[MrsKChicago]

Movements are changing here, I think she's running out of room. I had an anterior placenta last time and I'm feeling a lot more this time around. I think she's still favoring a head up position so I'm going to see if my midwife recommends Spinning Babies at my appointment this week. I'm getting to the point where most babies have flipped, I think, but I do make small babies so I'm sure she still has space to turn. I'm just trying not to worry for now.

We have a doula now! We debated it for awhile, because we really underutilized our doula last time, but there's an organization here that provides low cost doulas for families under a certain income level, and I think I'd rather waste $200 and feel she was unnecessary than save it and wish I'd had a doula. Since this is our last baby I'm hoping I get my "ideal" birth experience this time, though I know from my first birth that it is what it is with labor and you just do the best you can. With this program we don't choose our own doula, we're assigned one, and a backup, so I'm looking forward to meeting them soon. I googled our primary doula and she looks promising.

We're not ready at all! I did this with Teddy, too, everything was last minute and it really made me crazy. We're going sometime this month or in early August to visit my friend a couple hours away who has our car seat and cosleeper, we have to do a deep clean and reorganize to make space for baby's things, I have to do a bunch of laundry, etc. And I need to buy a few things, like diapers, bottles, etc. We have a spare convertible seat, a pack n play, and clothes, and diapers are easy, so we'll manage if she really surprises us early. And really, if she was this early she'd be in the NICU anyway. But I'd rather just have it done. I'm definitely starting to get that nesting urge.

 

[Babybump2017]

This might sound ridiculous but what's a doula?

 

[gingmg]

Chicago- I listened to Maggie Howell's Natal Hypnobirthing CD and I found it very helpful both leading up to labor to keep my anxiety down and during. I don't know, I guess Im a believer that it's part of the reason I feel like I was able to manage without an epidural (although I did have Nubian for pain relief which was stupid because it didn't help and I didn't like how I felt). I couldn't afford real hypnobirthing classes but for 15$ I found the CD incredibly helpful. My platelets are dropping again, so looks like I'm in the same situation that the choice of an epidural might not be available, so Im definitely going to need some coping tools again. Doing cat/cow yoga poses, especially while you feel movements can help get the baby into position. Spinning babies is also a great resource. Do you have a yoga ball?

Babybump- A doula is a birth coach.

Tess- thinking of you! How did your scan go? Are you ok???

 

[MrsKChicago]

She's basically professional labor support. There's a lot of research that shows that hiring a doula significantly reduces the odds of c sections and other interventions. They're not medical professionals like midwives or OBs, but they're trained in all sorts of pain relief and relaxation techniques and also different ways of keeping baby moving down when labor slows. They're great for your birth partner, too, because they can help them to help you effectively, and they're there for you if your partner needs to use the bathroom or something and doesn't want to leave you alone. They're a wonderful resource, especially if you're planning a medication-free birth, but they're usually very expensive since they're on call and can only take a few clients around the same due date.

 

[MrsKChicago]

Ging, I've heard such great things about hypnobirthing. I actually have a book and CD around here somewhere from Teddy's birth, but I never even took the CD out of the package. I'm not sure I really have the personality for hypnobirthing, I'm not so good at the whole meditation and visualization thing, but I really should at least give it a shot.

I don't have a yoga ball, but they're easy enough to order. I was doing a lot of cat/cow in PT and it seemed like she changed positions after my appointments pretty often, so I could see that being helpful. It's hard with a toddler in the house, though! I think it would shift from cat/cow to horsie pretty quickly

 

[Tess08]

Scan went well here apparently although my bump is measuring 2 weeks behind my baby is actually measuring a week ahead haha! My daughter was 8lb 6 and she said if this baby goes to full term we should expect him to be very much the same. So a big baby despite having next to no bump! She also said he has so much hair that she could see it on the scan my daughter had lots of hair too and I had to start putting clips in it when she was about 2 weeks old to keep it out of her eyes! I don't think I'll get away with that with a boy so it looks like this one might need a very early first haircut lol... x

 

[MrsKChicago]

Yay! So glad baby is looking good, Tess!