First Time Mom's - Due March/April 2013

[Laura91]

I just rang up a local company that does 3D/4D scans to get some information.

We were looking at a 3D/4D Bonding Scan - £110:
- 1 hour appointment
- Baby measurements and weight estimate
- DVD of scan
- CD of all 3D images
- 6 coloured high quality gloss 6x4 prints
- Selection of black & white thermal photographs (hospital style)
- Optional fetal sexing


Everything was going perfect until she said they only had this Saturday at 12:30pm left, otherwise I would have to wait 2 weeks

So I booked!

We get to see our baby in 2 days! I'm way too excited!

I text T saying "don't be mad but I just spent £110..."
He put "on what?!"
Me.. "for us to see our baby on Saturday!"
Him "thank god for that, thought you'd bloody bought more clothes! "


Alex, heading over to your journal now! xx

 

[baby_nurse]

Laura left a note for you in your journal

Midwife went ok although she always seems so uninterested it does put me off a bit, oh well! BP fine (lowest its ever been), urine clear, she said I didn't need GT test but we'll keep an eye on it. She also did repeat bloods for iron etc. Bump was measuring 27cm so a bit small (30th centile) she said we'll keep an eye on it but as long as it doesn't tail off too much it's ok. Booked for whooping cough jab in a few weeks and to see dr - anyone else having jab?

 

[I Love Lucy]

Laura, I loved the video you posted. Watching Aiden move around in my belly is one of my favorite things to do. I love the bump pictures too.

I'm really excited for your 3D/4D scan. I got a laugh out of your OH being glad that, that's what you spent the money on instead of more clothes.

Alex, I'm so sorry that you've been having a rough time. But like you said, you have to do what is best for you and your baby and if that means leaving work at 28 weeks then try not to beat yourself up over it.

I hope your first NCT class goes well too.

 

[Laura91]

Glad your appointment went well There's only one thing I hate about my midwife, she's always late. She never gets to the office until 9:20 and I generally book the 9am appointment. She then takes 15 minutes getting everything set up, making my appointment 30ish minutes late She is really lovely though

She didn't mention anything about the whooping cough jab.. x

 

[I Love Lucy]

I haven't been told anything about the whooping cough vaccine either, maybe at my next appointment.

 

[doggylover]

Now you all mention it I also didn't hear any info yesterday about whooping cough vaccine. Wasn't my regular midwife (she has norovirus) so maybe that's why. Will have to remember to ask at the end of the month.

Brittany, guess what my mum did today? Sent me a text saying "I'm getting some nappies for Jacob (my nephew) and they have buy one get one free on pampers. Shall I get you some newborn size?" So I responded no, we have the ones she gave us last week and we are using cloth (just in case she had a stroke or something and forgot...) and she sent me one back saying "oh too late, I didn't see that message so bought them anyway. I'm sure they'll get used!" woman, seriously, are you trying to make me yell at you?! I don't understand how much clearer I can be!!

Laura: oh my gosh I love that video!!! I can't believe how well she responds when you poke her! My baby just ignores me (can't wait for those teenage years...) but she is so responsive! That is so cool! I got the mothercare my3 https://www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Mychoice-3-wheeler/psK0976,default,pd.html
It's not everyone's cup of tea as its pretty sturdy, but perfect for us and I adore it! I keep going to have a wee peek at it my mum also thinks its bad luck to have it in the house, but I got it delivered to dh at work as there is always someone there and he brought it straight home. Wish it was at my parents, their hall is much longer for playing with it!! So exciting about your scan! She is going to look so much like a proper baby when you see her! (Probably a silly thing to say, I hope you know what I mean?!)

Lindsey, sorry to hear your gtt test didn't end well. Fingers crossed the next one goes a bit more smoothly for you and it was just a one off thing. And your dh is too cute looking up baby gear, mine is so excited, but he lets me do all the online searching and then just gives his opinion!

Alex, you do not need to feel bad about getting signed off work! Nobody will think any less of you, you have a very tough job, and need to put you and your baby first. If in two weeks you feel well enough to go back for the next two weeks, super! And if not, it's best for you and LO just to rest and take things easy so that when your baby arrives they are in good shape. Plus if its affecting your work (which is a really intense job) then everyone should be supporting you in taking the time off. Let us know how your NCT class goes!

Afm, for the last few days every evening my back has been getting sore in the weirdest spot - about half way up on my right hand side, in a really specific point. It's a weird pain and nothing seems to alleviate it, and I have no idea what brings it on, so very annoying.

My colleagues were irritating me today - first day of term and they were moaning by break time. I am counting down the days until I don't have to listen to them anymore! (That said I will be incredibly sad to leave my job lol!)

 

[LiverpoolLass]

Laura - I love that video! Your LO is soooo active! Mine always FEELS like the movements are huge and that my tummy should be moving, but when I look its barely visible!
Yay for the scan!! Is it with Babybond??

Alex - I'm so sorry to hear of the problems you've been having :/ It certainly sounds like being signed off is necessary and I hope it will help you to start feeling better. Let us know how your NCT class goes!
I plan on having the whooping cough jab - I've seen from posters in drs surgeries that any pregnant woman is able to have it from 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Sarah[/B - yay for new things! Aww I hope you find something to relieve the sore back - maybe OH needs to give you a nice hour long massage?

AFM - not much new here. No more leakage thank goodness! Starting to get a bit freaked out by how close the due dates are, and getting scared that I still haven't had an appointment through to discuss a c-section - leaving it all a bit late in the day in my opinion! :/ I just want to know whats happening.
Other than that, I have been noticing that my bump feels quite heavy and tender lately - has anybody else had that?
I've also been getting Braxton Hicks quite often! Not at all painful but just a weird feeling!

 

[linzylou]

Brittany, I can't wait to see pictures of your finished nursery. Ours is getting there. Just need to add the wall decal, install the crown molding, and I want to find a small end table and lamp to go next to the glider. How do you plan to organize everything? I'll look into that breast pump you mentioned. My ex-SIL had the Medela but sold it because she barely touched it after the baby was born (she wasn't working), so I'd hate to spend $300 on something I might rarely use. But I do want one just in case, even if it's a single electric or maybe a manual one to start.

Laura, welcome to third tri!! Very cute bump. I'm sure your test will go fine! I do think it makes it harder when you're essentially "trapped" in the waiting room but that's good you'll have some company. Love the video. Watching my belly move is one of the best things about pregnancy, imo, but my baby is nowhere near as responsive to my poking and prodding as yours! She'll kick a bunch if I just leave her alone, but the second I try to play with her she goes off and hides. And that's great about the 4D scan!! I'd love to see my LO one more time before she gets here.

Alex, don't feel awful. You're doing what's best for you and your baby. Glad your appointment went well and that you don't need the GTT! No one has mentioned the whooping cough vaccine so I don't know much about it but I'll ask at my next appointment. Let us know about the NCT class - mine starts on Monday so I'm right there with you.

Sarah, what kind of pain is it? Like an ache or a stabbing pain? I second the back massage! It's nice to have my DH so involved. He's usually a quiet guy who doesn't share emotions so it's fun to see him get excited about the baby.

Hayley, my bump feels the same! That's the best way to describe it...heavy and tender. Especially in the mornings but yesterday it seemed to last all day. And I'm super tired at the same time. Maybe it's another growth spurt?

As for me, I forgot to mention but last week in the shower, I dripped a few drops of milk! Nothing has happened since (even if I squeeze them) but it was pretty crazy. I know it's natural but I almost hope it doesn't happen again until LO gets here!

 

[MrsHippo]

Sorry to hear that you have been feeling down Alex, depression is a *******. Hopefully you will manage to pick yourself back up before it gets to that point and I definately agree with the girls that you have done the right thing by having the time off. I struggle at work some days and I spend most of that sitting down and at least if I am having a hard day I can pretty much lock myself in my office....you don't get that option so don't feel as though you have failed, you can only do what you can. Your body tells you when you need a break...and thats now. Also, don't feel as though you need to go back after the two weeks, if you feel as though you want to take the remaining two weeks off then tell your doctor that. They won't judge you for asking.

Laura, loved watching the video my LO makes my belly wobble around like that, love watching it. Also, great news about the scan!!! how exciting, got mine next Sunday!!

My mw hasn't spoken to me about the jab either....if I'm honest she is a bit pants. She is lovely but when it comes to anything medical she doesn't have a clue. I remember asking her about something that was worrying me a little and she just told me that she didn't know what it was and then changed subject!! :O the problem has stopped now so I'm not worried but if it had continued I think I would have gone to see a doctor instead. Also, talking of jabs. She still never mentioned the flu jab....so still haven't had that.

My bump is the same Hayley, it feels almost like I'm extremely bloated. The skin feels really tight and I have to rub it reguarly just to make it feel a little better. As for BH, I don't think I have had that yet. I get the odd twinge and stuff but again, don't know what it is. Most of my pain is low down around my hip area which I believe is just ligament pain? Then once in a while I will get pains right at the top of my bump which are made worse when I bend or something.

AFM I had a much better nights sleep last night, although I have been really tired all day and even went to sleep on the sofa for an hour after work. My bag that I won was also delivered this evening Today we had two estate agents come round to do the part ex valuation so I literally have everything crossed that they will come back with a valuation worth what we need for the move to go ahead. We have had them in the past, one was good (but they required full 10% deposit which we would struggle with as these only require 5%) then the second was shockingly bad. I seem to prepare myself for the worst all the time we so despirately want to move as hate living here but nothing seems to ever go to plan and we just can't afford to get the money together for a full deposit as well as all the fees and move privately. Then there is the case of getting rid of this place, no one is buying apartments at the moment

Anyway, moan over. Glad its Friday tomorrow!! yey.

 

[MrsHippo]

I just noticed that it blanked out a word I used!! :O it wasn't even that bad a word!!

 

[doggylover]

Hayley and Lindsey, my dh is USELESS with massage he 'rubs' (read 'stabs at'!)my back for approximately two minutes, then complains his hand hurts from the pressure what a baby! The irony is, he adores having his back rubbed and moans if I stop after 5/6 minutes of continuous rubbing. Men are so useless at times.

The pain is a definite ache, but sitting up super straight seems to help, so I'm considering bringing the exercise ball from my parents to our house to start using and see if that helps. I'm a tad worried the dog might pop it (while I'm on it!) though!

Hayley, I honestly can't believe you still haven't had a consult about your c section. Have you got a date at least? Not good considering we are getting very close.

Lindsey, I can't believe you then squeezed to see if more milk would come out! I'm terrified of my nipples at the minute just in case I look sideways and start leaking! At least it happened in the shower and not when you were at work or something! I can't imagine what it's like...it must have been so strange! I'd prefer not to find out until LO is here though!

Lauren I have had the grand total of 1 BH so far! Well that I know of. I assumed it would be accompanied by more, but nothing and that was over a week ago, so I guess not everyone gets a pile of them. Fingers crossed for the house valuation. The property market is definitely a bitch ATM, and apartments unfortunately don't seem to be fairing well. My friend was told straight up by her estate agent that he wouldn't even bother putting it on the market if he were her but she did want to put it on for the same amount she bought it for during the peak

Afm, sending out my feelers to people I know trying to get someone I trust to cover my maternity leave. They decided not to advertise, and my boss is so lazy he came today to see me and went on for ages about how tough it was finding someone and if only I knew people who could take over...so now it's somehow fallen on me easy enough as I've just had to send out a few emails to teachers I trained with, but honestly, some people are so lazy!

 

[MrsHippo]

I am worrying about cover for work too...when we employed someone to help me I dealt with the majority of it (our HR dept have to sort out the advert ect) but I went through the CVs, shortlisted and interviewed. This time around I'm not allowed :/ I was bugging my manager since begining of November about it then one day he turned around and went '*** will deal with it because I don't have time' - Now she has never dealt with anything like it before, she is also clinical and has been really busy as we are short staffed so she hasn't even submitted an application for cover to HR. Soooo, IF she manages to sort it out within the next couple of weeks it will be at least a week until it is actually advertised, they will choose how long to advertise for then we have to shortlist and interview - THEN they might still need to give 1 months notice. AND then I have to bloody train them!! I am leaving mid March!!! If they don't do it in time they can p*off if they think I am staying longer to train them. I am really angry about it actually. I care so much about my job and it is hard, they will have a huge responsibility too. It will be my responsibility to make sure they know what they are doing before I leave. H (my colleague) only works part time so she will have no chance of being able to train a full timer as well as do the work. She physically will not have the time in the day. But I know what will happen - it will be the last week and I will get moaned at by my manager. pffft I'm sorry, but I have offered on more than one occasion to sort this out but he doesn't want me to. Obviously once I go, I go and I'm not taking any responsibility for when the sh*t hits the fan because I have done all I can. It is my colleague I will feel sorry for because when things go wrong she will be the one left to deal with it. She doesn't have to work, she only does purely to keep herself busy so she could walk out if things got tough - she did tell me that too. I'd hate to go back to work and her not be there I am dreading leaving actually - well I can't wait but I am really worried about how badly things are going to go because of how bad they have managed it. Its not like I have only just told them, they have had plenty of notice.

hmmmm. Sorry for the moan...again.

 

[LiverpoolLass]

Linzy - eek at the milk! I keep dreading seeing any coming out lol. I know it happens to most people though...like Sarah said, I keep trying not to look in their general direction just incase lol.
Yeah maybe its a growth spurt happening?! Mine was more sore yesterday too, definitely eased off today!

Lauren - With the flu jab (and the whooping cough jab actually) you just make an appointment yourself with the nurse at your GP practice. The midwife should have told you about it though! I had leaflets in my information pack too though.
You probably have had BH you know - its so easy to miss it! I've only noticed it in the past few days but I'm sure it happens other times and I just don't realise.
Its completely painless but you just contract and your bump becomes ROCK HARD to the touch. Its an odd sensation when you realise its happening because then you become a bit aware of a tightening sensation.
Aww it must be so stressful trying to sort everything out with mortgages etc :/
We could be joining you in that soon, as we just found out today that we've been accepted for the governments HomeBuy scheme! Need to find out a bit more about it tomorrow but at least its a bit of light at the end of the tunnel!

Sarah - If I were you I'd be sitting DH down and listing all of the things you have had to deal with over the past 28 weeks, and telling him to consider all of those things before he complains about his sore hands from massaging you
Honestly - men!!! lol.
I'm glad you also think its getting a bit late in the day for my consult about the c-section - I was wondering if I'm just really impatient :/
I think maybe I should call them tomorrow and chase up the appointment.
I haven't got a date or anything, no. Its so stressing me out the later on it gets :/

 

[Laura91]

Morning ladies So, so, so tired today - roll on 5pm

DoggyLover - She's always like it Ooh I looked at the MY3! Isn't that the one that's from the same people as Quinny Buzz? And I definitely know what you mean about looking like a proper baby
That's crazy that you have to find someone to cover your job for you - saying that, I had to do the same. I thought it was just my boss that was an arse.

LiverpoolLass - No I didn't end up going with BabyBond, they seemed quite expensive compared to the place we're going. It's only small - I think it's just a husband and wife - and it's their hobby rather than their job so everyone who I've spoken to loved their experience, they don't rush you around etc.
Hope you get an appointment soon - definitely get on their case about it soon!

LinzyLou - Thank you I'm dreading the leaky boob thing

MrsHippo - I really wanna know what word they blanked out now
Hope you get a good valuation!
Hope you manage to sort out the work situation too!

AsForMe... I got home from work last night and had to lay on the sofa for the rest of the night I get the bus to/from work and then have a 5 minute walk from the bus stop to my house. Well all the way home my lower back was sore - I felt like I needed to bend forward slightly to relieve the pain? And I had pain in my lady bits too making me want to bend backwords-ish to relieve the pain from that - I couldn't win!
Anyway, I got home and couldn't bloody get one of my shoes off - Uggs I couldn't reach down enough to get it off so ended up kicking around like an idiot for a good 5 minutes
Then whenever I wanted to get up, I struggled to It was like I was an old woman! It sort of hurt to straighten my back and ached in my bits when I walked.

Looked on Google this morning (I know I shouldn't!) and everything is pointing to SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) Apparently, nearly 1 in 4 women suffer from it. I'm gonna ring the doctors later today if it carries on.
One of the Google results was a thread from here which listed some of the common symptoms - green are which I suffer from..

- Clicking of hips
- Pain in lower back region
- Pain on/around pubic bone area
- Pain in hips
- Ache/ pain radiating down inner thighs
- Difficulty rolling over in bed
- Pain when laying on back
- Pain often worse on walking or if sitting in one position for too long

 

[baby_nurse]

Firstly thank you all so so much ladies for your lovely kind supportive comments about me being signed off from work it's lovely to know I'm not being judged and can chat to you all on here and feel supported. My friends/family IRL have all said the same thing as you ladies so I know I'm supported all round but still worried I'm going to get a shouty phone call from my manager demanding I come back to work/take maternity leave.

linzy my boobs have also started leaking, after a bath usually. It's only colostrum but I do admit I had a little squeeze to see what was there then freaked out massively and have been too scared to go near them since

doggylover sorry about your mum! It sounds like she "knows best" lol or wants to know best! My mum is the same. I think it is just the beginning of a gritted teeth relationship with my mum. The other day we nearly had an argument about baby bumpers. I was trying to explain they don't really advise them anymore due to increased risk of cot death and my mum was having none of it and saying baby would get its head stuck in the bars there was a lot of "in my day" grumblings coming from her!

liverpoollass I'd definitely get on the case to find out what's going on with the c section as you are getting quite close now!!

laura91 it does sound like the beginnings of SPD which is what I was diagnosed with the other day. I don't think I've got it severely but as soon as I start walking about for more than an hour my hip starts to hurt. It also hurts when I spread my legs apart and when the midwife pressed on my pelvis yesterday that hurt as well. Sometimes its like a shooting pain down my bum and other tomes its like a grinding in my hip. I've been referred for physio but they advise to try and keep your legs together as much as possible. Sitting on an exercise ball really helps me as we'll. I also sleep with a v pillow between my legs. Sorry your suffering mine is only mild/moderate but is really annoying so I really feel for ladies with it badly.

It seems a few of us ladies are suffered from back ache/hip ache/bump ache which sucks but unfortunately think is a common thing during 3rd try
My bump isn't painful as such but quite tight and itchy at times so I'm still using a ton of moisturiser to keep my itching at bay. I think I may have been getting BH and not realising! I thought BH hurt but have been getting the weird tightening thing for ages and just thought it was bump being weird lol. Can anyone else see/feel their own heartbeat on their bump? I can see my heart beating when I lay down and feel it really strongly, maybe it's because I have an anterior placenta.

as for me I had my first NCT class yesterday and despite my concerns it was actually fab! Much much better than I could have ever expected. I thought it would be full of annoy middle class snotty ladies only wanting whale music but it was people just like me with the same worries/concerns and funny stories. The other couples seems really friendly and down to earth and the instructor seems really nice as well and quite unbiased with is good as I'd heard sometimes they push for completely natural labours and poo poo any pain relief whereas she just seemed quite informative about lots of aspects. It was a little cringey in parts (felt bit weird doing relaxation in a room full of people) and we did the usual icebreaker stuff which freaked out my poor OH as he is a shy little soul but even he admitted he'd learnt loads and found it really informative. I also found it really positive discussing my fears and concerns with a group of RL ladies and stuff I thought I was just feeling (like worried about losing my sense of self and just becoming a mum who only talks about my baby and forgetting I had a life before that!) the other ladies all felt the same and I found that really really positive to share. I already feel a little more reassured about birth. My main reason for going is that my job has made me very negative towards birth as I see the bad births my perception is really skewed and I'm convinced my baby will die/get into difficulty and the class has already helped me quash some of those feelings and feel a bit more relaxed and hopefully gear towards a less stressful/fearful birth. I think the combination of these classes and being away from work for a while will help me hopefully be a more relaxed momma

 

[baby_nurse]

Oh forgot bout my funny story that I thought would all give you a giggle. Last night I must have been having a funny dream as I woke up in the middle of the night pulling at poor OH's head and asking "is it a boy or a girl!" I think I was trying to deliver him!! I think I must have been having odd dreams after my class lol!! Poor OH just laughed and made me go back to sleep but I feel awful today I hope I wasn't pulling on his head to hard poor bloke being beheaded by his crazy wife?!

 

[Laura91]

Alex, don't get me started on the "in my day" comments If I have to try and explain my choices to MIL one more time, I'll scream. She doesn't understand why I gave up smoking straight away and why I can't have the 'odd one' saywhat, why I won't have a glass of wine or two with her, why I avoid certain foods etc. Ummm, because I want the best for my baby?!

Did you go to your doctors about it or speak to your midwife? I'm unsure who I actually need to speak to about it

I'm sat at my desk at work and it is hurting to even cross my bloody legs! I just got up to get something and my back is killing

I'm gonna have a quick look on the net at exercise balls, I'm sure they do them in Argos pretty cheap..

Thinking about it, I took my Christmas stuff down the other day and my back was hurting then, and the next day - I thought it was just because I'd overdone it with the cleaning.. maybe not?

Re the heartbeat thing, yes! I thought I was just crazy

Glad your NCT class went well

Oh, your poor OH! But then again, it won't hurt him to 'feel' involved in some of the pregnancy craziness ! xx

 

[MrsHippo]

Just a quick message, haven't read any recent posts yet - will do that later but wanted to tell you now before I forget. For UK, they are holding the baby and toddler show in liverpool at the echo arena on 2-3rd February. I think I am going, will be a bit of a drive for me... Think about 2 hours... But it's the only one within our dates apart from London which is 22-24th feb

 

[baby_nurse]

mrshippo I might go to that show, although a bit of a drive for me as we'll, not sure if I'll have much less to still buy in February!

Look what just arrived yay! Poor OH is gonna have a busy weekend building the furniture lol!

 

[Laura91]

Oooh I wanna see it all! x