High Risk Pregnancy ~ General Discussion and Support

Hi all,

Jeena - Congrats on your u/s hun.

Crumpet - Wooohoooooo, Congratulations on 21weeks hun, you go girl. hugs

Beema - I hope your coping ok. Know I am thinking of you and little flicker. hugs

Black_rose - Congratulations on the safe arrival of your precious little Blue bundle. hugs

mamaspice - How is everything goingwith you?

Well dizzy spells have hit me since i turned 21wks which was Friday, and have been here since. mostlyfeel it though when in bed. Almost passed out while in line for voting, which was about a 20min wait. Got really hot and flustered so thankfully there was a chair at the entrance of the hall by the time it hit me. So have noticed now that I need to take it a bit more easily when getting up out of bed etc, as have lost balance on some occassions to due to it. Notice too that standing for long periods isnt a good thing, sicne Saturday. have told Dh that I will need to take it easy, which he agreed. lol. Maybe I have worried him. Anyway am off to the Dr's soon to check BP, as i think maybe it has something to do with it, otherwise not sure what is causing the dizziness.
noticed that scrolling the threads isnt doing me any favours atm either. Take care everyone, hugs

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Thaks guys. I meant to get online last night, but was too sore and tired to do it.

Black_Rose - Hope those contractions get strong enough to get everything moving properly so you can meet your precious little bubba very soon!

afm - They got someone in to give me a scan with their brand-spanking-new portable ultrasound machine, and Bub is doing ok, measuring a bit behind (was measuring at 8wk 3d yesterday instead of the 8wk 5d I was supposed to be, not bad, but different and slightly worrying for me as DS was always measuring ahead of dates in his scans).
There was a heartbeat, which was excellent - I didn't get to see the screen as it was facing away from me, but hubby did, which was great for him as he missed out on the dating scan. Don't know exactly how many bpm it was as it was just a basic scan and the guy doing it wasn't a sonographer, just a doctor.
I have to call the hospital on monday and tell them that emergency asked me to call and let them know I'm coming in for a full scan. Hubby isn't working tomorrow, so he'll be able to come along and see bub.

Just have to stay relaxed and try to rest as much as possible now, which is difficult because if I sit or lie down for too long my hips and lower back sieze up and I'm in agony when I get up. Had to resort to a heat pack last night I was in that much pain. It basically feels like my whole pelvis and lower back is trying to go flying into 10 different directions at the same time.

So that's what's been happening here.

Hope everyone else is having a great weekend, it's actually really nice and sunny here in country Vic today, though some clouds are showing their ugly faces now, it's warmer than it was yesterday though.

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hope u get some answers and feel better soon hun!! :hug:

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Crumpet - Wooohoooooo, Congratulations on 21weeks hun, you go girl. hugs

Well dizzy spells have hit me since i turned 21wks which was Friday, and have been here since. mostlyfeel it though when in bed. Almost passed out while in line for voting, which was about a 20min wait. Got really hot and flustered so thankfully there was a chair at the entrance of the hall by the time it hit me. So have noticed now that I need to take it a bit more easily when getting up out of bed etc, as have lost balance on some occassions to due to it. Notice too that standing for long periods isnt a good thing, sicne Saturday. have told Dh that I will need to take it easy, which he agreed. lol. Maybe I have worried him. Anyway am off to the Dr's soon to check BP, as i think maybe it has something to do with it, otherwise not sure what is causing the dizziness.
noticed that scrolling the threads isnt doing me any favours atm either. Take care everyone, hugs

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thanks hun!!

missed ur post in the jan thread sorry!!
u poor thing i get that dizzyness in early pregnancy, only accasionally after 16 weeks thankfully.
take a bottle of powerade with u everywhere it saved me a few times!!

hopw u feel better soon!!!

congrats blackrose on ur little man!!!

Morning Everyone :hello:


Super big congrats to BlackRose on the safe arrival of William!!! I was so excited when I logged in last night to see he had arrived and what a fabulous size :bluecheer:

JennaJayen ~ How are you going hun, I hope you have had some answers and are feeling a lot less pain today :hug:

MamaSpice ~ oh my getting close hun now, I love not knowing exactly when it is all happeneing.. building the tension... wishing you all the very best for a smooth empowering CS :hug: Totally stalking this week for you BA!

Crumpet ~ Congrats on 21 weeks hun :hug: thinking of you often as you are going through this difficult period, take care and we are here for you

Csab ~ I hope you get some answers for the dizziness very soon, it must be scary :o hopefully it improves

AFM ~ Very excited to be now in the 30's!!!

Back to the OB tomorrow...

Had a good day Saturday and only the one booster late at night, even managed to vote :rofl:
Yesterday was good until mid afternoon, then I struggled from there on in, was in bed by 8pm and had to take a couple of boosters overnight, got very little sleep and feel exhausted today.

I had some impressive movements for the first time under my ribs last night, like something was trying to pop out my bottom ribs, so thoughts are it could have been a foot but not getting my hopes up that Flicker has turned, just going with the flow now in that department....

Not sure what my OB is checking tomorrow, as I had the extra growth scan last week, I don't know if she will do another tomorrow, but as she is expecting restriction from now she may up the monitoring of growth and dopplers. Also don't know about a cervix length at last measurement a week and a half ago it was 3.4cm, with a 0.7cm bubble which has opened, so 2.7cm of it is closed, but no funnelling, but will most likely be starting on the Progeterone cream as the Nifedipine isn't doing enough to stop things and have had a few quite rough days over the last week.

I have been getting cramping down low intermittantly, so hopefully that isn't doing anything untoward....

I am now permeanently home on rest, not going into work or anything like that, I did however go out for dinner Saturday night with out family, it was a real treat as I have hardly left the house for the past week and a half...

DH is being brilliant, he is helping with Nakita a lot, he takes her to and from daycare every day, gets her showered at night and dressed in the mornings, he is also helping out around the house more.

My parents were down on the weekend and helped out emmsely, mum cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed, helped with washing, did our food shopping, dad installed a shelf in Flickers Room and helped out doing other jobs around the place.

I am doing small jobs intermittently during the day, just to get the blood flowing again, but usually time it with a bathroom trip or food prep.

I am glad to be in the 30's now, it was a big milestone that I wanted to get through, but just taking things one day at a time, but ultimately aiming for 32 weeks and then DD's gestation of 33 weeks 4 days, beyond that is unchartered territory :o

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Crumpet ~ Congrats on 21 weeks hun :hug: thinking of you often as you are going through this difficult period, take care and we are here for you

AFM ~ Very excited to be now in the 30's!!!

Back to the OB tomorrow...

Had a good day Saturday and only the one booster late at night, even managed to vote :rofl:
Yesterday was good until mid afternoon, then I struggled from there on in, was in bed by 8pm and had to take a couple of boosters overnight, got very little sleep and feel exhausted today.

I had some impressive movements for the first time under my ribs last night, like something was trying to pop out my bottom ribs, so thoughts are it could have been a foot but not getting my hopes up that Flicker has turned, just going with the flow now in that department....

Not sure what my OB is checking tomorrow, as I had the extra growth scan last week, I don't know if she will do another tomorrow, but as she is expecting restriction from now she may up the monitoring of growth and dopplers. Also don't know about a cervix length at last measurement a week and a half ago it was 3.4cm, with a 0.7cm bubble which has opened, so 2.7cm of it is closed, but no funnelling, but will most likely be starting on the Progeterone cream as the Nifedipine isn't doing enough to stop things and have had a few quite rough days over the last week.

I have been getting cramping down low intermittantly, so hopefully that isn't doing anything untoward....

I am now permeanently home on rest, not going into work or anything like that, I did however go out for dinner Saturday night with out family, it was a real treat as I have hardly left the house for the past week and a half...

DH is being brilliant, he is helping with Nakita a lot, he takes her to and from daycare every day, gets her showered at night and dressed in the mornings, he is also helping out around the house more.

My parents were down on the weekend and helped out emmsely, mum cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed, helped with washing, did our food shopping, dad installed a shelf in Flickers Room and helped out doing other jobs around the place.

I am doing small jobs intermittently during the day, just to get the blood flowing again, but usually time it with a bathroom trip or food prep.

I am glad to be in the 30's now, it was a big milestone that I wanted to get through, but just taking things one day at a time, but ultimately aiming for 32 weeks and then DD's gestation of 33 weeks 4 days, beyond that is unchartered territory :o

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thanks hun......
thought id be excited about hitting 21 weeks, not sure why, but its sure as hell not happened.... im just terrified and i want this week to be over!
this time last preg i was admitted to hopsital, right on 21 weeks.....
so far no aches and pains like last time and wormette is having a good old play so thats keeping my chin up....
after seeing my OB on friday and knowing my cervix is 4cm and him telling me it till take more than a week to shorten enough to cause trouble u would think i would be quite happy about things but i just cant help but wonder.....

im in the mind set of if i survive this week in one piece then ill survive a lot more weeks after this one.....

im so happy ur in the 30's thats just the best!!!
sorry to hear ur still needing the nifedipine, but all the rest ur doing is keeping flicker put for that bit longer!!

like u im lucky to have help every week with my house work, MIL comes and does the stuff i cant manage yet which takes a bit of strain off.... gotta love parents or IL's that help out!

Crumpet - Thanks darl :)

Beema - I'm doing ok, just have to remember not to sit down for more than half an hour at a time or my hips and lower back will sieze up. Makes it super painfull when I stand up and really feel like everything is trying to collapse.

Black Rose - Congrats on your little boy :) Such a big bubba and quick labour :)

afm - Had my ultrasound yesterday, bub was measuring right on dates, 9wks, which was such a relief!!! Heart beat was 156bpm, so right on target, but sooo much lower than DS's at 7wk6d which was 189 lol so got a bit worried until the sonographer said "Congratulations, you have a viable pregnancy!" lol
She was really great about it too, and we got 2 pictures, though no DVD which we were disappointed about as with DS we always got DVD's of the ultrasounds.
Bub was sitting with it's back to the doppler lol, so all we got was a view of the spine, but it's waaaaay better nothing!

So I'm still cramping almost constantly, and taking it easy, as the doctor ordered. It helps that hubby is actuall really concerned about it all and does is best to make it easy for me.

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

thanks great news hun!!! :clap::clap::clap:

make sure u keep those feet up for a few more weeks!!!

HUGE Congratulations to MamaSpice!!!! :dance: So so proud of you hun, you have done a fabulous job, baking a beautiful sized bubba boy Brock :bluecheer:, so so exciting to see these special little bubba's arriving safe and sound :dance:

:hug: Crumpet, it is soooo understandable that you don't feel comfortable at all, I wish there was something I could say that makes it easier, but hopefully with time and each week you go it will become that much easier. We are here for you for the good days and the not so good days xxoo

So glad that everything is going along ok JennaJayen :hug: woo hoo for the US piccies, we have quite a few as well, but my OB doesn't really take any unneccessary shots we have enough scans and see Flicker every week, poor little munchikin, I wish we didn't need so many, but the bonus out of last weeks debacle was that we got the 3D photos!

Hope everyone is ticking along nicely!

AFM ~ Back from my OB appointment so good to be in the 30's and my OB is pretty impressed that we are still ticking along :)

Results from todays appointment:
BP: 110/60 (Thanks to the Nifedipine)
Fundal height: 31
AFI: 15 - nicely in the normal range, but looks as though we have had our peak already, it has dropped 6 since my 28 weeks appointment, so she will keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't keep dropping
Dopplers : we are well below the 5th%ile, but we still have a good uprise in the flow which is keeping Flicker tucked up safely, but the indicators are starting to show that growth is likely to take a hit from this.

She didn't do a growth scan as I had one done last week, and she'd already done one the week before, but will be on the cards for next weeks appointment. Growth was slowing based on the last two, but Flicker has started out at a good weight so that will be a big advantage!

She didn't do a cervix length either as we want to keep things as settled as possible.

Nifedipine dosage has gone up again, we are going to try this for another week and if things don't settle will go the Progesterone, I am squeezing an extra dosage in during the day so now 100mg daily, plus boosters, the limit is 120mg plus 40mg of boosters.

Flicker is still breech ~ oh well, and we went through breech delivery in more detail today, need to still get a few more weeks of good growth for Flicker to be big enough. I am also going in for a CT Pelvimetry to check the size of my pelvis because we need to make sure that it will open up and baby literally falls out. Breech delivery is a hands off form of delivery, you have to literally let the baby descend, then once the legs, body and shoulders are out the baby bascially peddles backwards, tilts their head and the head is then delivered. It is this point that is critical to a safe breech delivery.

But another spanner in the works is the length of Flickers umbilical cord, looking at the scans it is short, which may also explain why Flicker has made some attemps at turning the last few days and been unsucessful. If this is the case we couldn't see much extra cord today and based on the small placenta it is possible the cord is short as well, breech may not be an option :(

But we would know quite early in delivery if the cord isn't going to be long enough as we will see signs of fetal distress.

For my OB to deliver I need to have bubs before the 30th of September, 35 weeks or hold on to 39 weeks even she laughed at the thought of that ~ as she is on leave for the month of October and flying out of the country :( During that time a breech delivery won't be performed, her back up OB isn't as well versed in them as she is, and TBH I would only want to do it if my OB was there as I know that she has done quite a few of them, did a lot when she started in obstetrics, where as the other OB started when CS were the way to go.

So a bit of a mixed bag as such, but in the end the way in which Flicker arrives needs to be the safest and I won't risk his/her life for my own desires.

Either way I feel comfortable with where we are and how things are tracking, it's not perfect but we never expected that and every day/week Flickers gets to stay inside is a bonus.

YAYYYY!!! CONGRATS MAMASPICE!!!! :dance::dance::dance:

BEEMA- thanks hun.... i acutally feel a lot calmer than i did yesterday, ive been cleaning out the study today and have decided to put baby in there and use the room we have as a nursery now as the study....
this all means that i now need to paint the nursery so ill have a project to do during the days!!!
i wont be starting it for a few weeks, coz i need DH to prep the walls and stuff and he has enough on his to-do list before the baby shower so i wont push the boundries!! :lol:

sounds like overall it was a good appt!!
hopefully the nifedipine keeps everything calm and u get a few more weeks, but can deliver with ur OB....

i delivered Gus breech, but different though ;)

Congrats mamaspice!

Just thought I would come and give a quick update while I can get on.

My history is coming back to cause problems for William, he has been admitted to the nursery with jaundice so he will be under the lights for two days.

He also has a low grade fever, with his temp sitting at 37.3, and his crp levels have increased from .8 to .13, it looks like it may be an issue with his blood type I am 0+ and dh is a -. He is been treated with antibiotics for two days but it could be up to five.

We were meant to be coming home today, fingers crossed he will be home on the weekend.

Morning all,

Black_rose - I am sending lots of get well vibes for Little William, and will be praying that you get to bring him home on the weekend. Cant remember if had congratulated you on Little William, but JIC I didnt, Congratulations hun, you did really well bringing your little man into the world. Look after yourself sweety, I will be thinking of both you and William. Hugs

Mamaspice - yay congratulations on the safe arrival of your Little man Brock, you too should be very proud of yourself. Creating another life and bringing them into the world is no easy feat. You have done a wonderful job. Hugs

Welcome to the world Little Brock and Little William. Woohoo. hugs

Now for gorgeous Beema, well hun you sound so much calmer. I am so glad your OB is keeping you well informed and a close eye on both you and little flicker. You are right, each day flicker stays within, is an added bonus especailly after your set milestones. I have everything crossed that your milestones are made and beyond at least until your 35wks. Sorry to hear there is still some probs that are starting to show, but hoping it doesnt affect Flickers growth. Flicker is most defnately a fighter and I must say we will all be so happy for you once he/she arrives safe and sound in your arms, I have to wonder if he/she will have a V for victory make on his/her forehead like little V did. You know they call it an angels kiss/ stork mark. I think definately kissed by angels. Take care gorgeous and through each day and milestone we are all here barracking for you on the sidelines. hugs Ohh and a velated congratualtions on reaching 30wks hun, and an advance congratulations for hitting 31wks in a couple of days. hugs

Crumpet - You too are covering unchartered territory, enjoy it hun and grasp it with both hands. Your little Miss is going to come to you, hold onto that thought and believe it. Remember Little Gus is holding her hand guiding her to you. Im so glad your feeling more relaxed. Enjoy those Little movements and do what I do, sigh a sign of relief and happiness each time you feel them. Your doing really well, and know we are here for you too, everytime you feel you need that support. hugs

jenna - Congrats again on your u/s, hugs

Well, stil getting the dizziness, yet the Dr's dont think it has anything to do with my BP. However, I know that I havent had such low BP in any of my pgcy's. Yet the other day of 110/60 I have had as one of my lowest temps with my previous pgcy's, and that was a pretty good BP this time round. My lowest this time has been around 90/60. So anyway still none the wiser, so I am thinking maybe just pgcy hormones, as my local GP seems to think, but he wants to also check my blood levels as he said that can cause it too. However the endocronologist doesnt think it is that. However next week I have BT's to do and that is one of the things they are checking, so I guess I will know at the next appt afterwards, whenever that will be. Tuseday is my next U/S, ao I am hoping we will know what we are having that day. hugs all.

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Congrats mamaspice!

Just thought I would come and give a quick update while I can get on.

My history is coming back to cause problems for William, he has been admitted to the nursery with jaundice so he will be under the lights for two days.

He also has a low grade fever, with his temp sitting at 37.3, and his crp levels have increased from .8 to .13, it looks like it may be an issue with his blood type I am 0+ and dh is a -. He is been treated with antibiotics for two days but it could be up to five.

We were meant to be coming home today, fingers crossed he will be home on the weekend.

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good to hear from u hun!!

hope little william makes a speedy recovery and can go home with you over the weekend!! :hug:

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Crumpet - You too are covering unchartered territory, enjoy it hun and grasp it with both hands. Your little Miss is going to come to you, hold onto that thought and believe it. Remember Little Gus is holding her hand guiding her to you. Im so glad your feeling more relaxed. Enjoy those Little movements and do what I do, sigh a sign of relief and happiness each time you feel them. Your doing really well, and know we are here for you too, everytime you feel you need that support. hugs

jenna - Congrats again on your u/s, hugs

Well, stil getting the dizziness, yet the Dr's dont think it has anything to do with my BP. However, I know that I havent had such low BP in any of my pgcy's. Yet the other day of 110/60 I have had as one of my lowest temps with my previous pgcy's, and that was a pretty good BP this time round. My lowest this time has been around 90/60. So anyway still none the wiser, so I am thinking maybe just pgcy hormones, as my local GP seems to think, but he wants to also check my blood levels as he said that can cause it too. However the endocronologist doesnt think it is that. However next week I have BT's to do and that is one of the things they are checking, so I guess I will know at the next appt afterwards, whenever that will be. Tuseday is my next U/S, ao I am hoping we will know what we are having that day. hugs all.

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as of monday im in uncharted territory, scary thought really!!
although i kinda am now, this point last time i was in a hospital with my bed tilted and my feet well above my head, being at home with freedom and all!!

hopefully he is sending her all the right messages to keep her in there another 8 weeks min!!

ive got low BP as well hun....
generally is 90-100/60 and my OB says its low but he isnt overly concerned about it...
when i was in hospital after my stitch and on the nifedipine, it was 85/60 and they were a little bit more concerned then, but it slowly came back up so there wasnt much to worry about.....

hope they can sort it out for you hun!

:hello: everyone!!

wow its been quiet in here, hopefully that means a lot of nothing but baby baking is happening!! :lol:

well im a bit more excited, scary week is OVER!!!! :dance::dance:

have finally hit 22 weeks with no issues and as of today we are in unknown territory!!!

DH and I were talking on the weekend and while we both still dont feel like we will get our baby at the moment, we agreed that once the next 2 weeks are over we will be shocked to the core coz if she was to come from then we would end up with a baby!!
amazing what difference 2 weeks will and can make!

so im just hanging tight till my next OB appt which is right on 24 weeks and at the rate im going looks like it will be another one of those months where i dont have to contact him in between appts which will be AWSOME!!!!

thinking of u all,

lots of :bellyrubs::bellyrubs::bellyrubs:to u all coz im excited now my :bellygrowing: is growing at a rapid rate i can rub it properly!!!!

It's been a while since I posted, we have been quiet but I guess that's because a couple of bubba's have arrived!!

Crumpet ~ So so happy for you hun, unchartered territory for you, and a cervix that is playing ball, such wonderful news and bloody awesome effort on not needing any extra OB appointments :dance: Yippeee for the propper :bellyrubs: too!!

csab ~ my last BP measurement was 110/60 too, but that's the side effect of the Nifedipine ;) Goodluck with your US tomorrow and I'll be stalking for updates

Black_Rose ~ hope all is going well with you for a smoth recovery and your little man and he is home with you and you are enjoying those precious newborn snuggles

MamaSpice ~ thinking of you too hun and hope your recovery is also going smoothly and lots of new born snuggles as well!

A big :hello: to everyone else and those stalking or reading and not posting

AFM ~ back to the OB tomorrow for a growth scan, dopplers and the usual, I am going to ask about a cervix length, even if it just on the external to give us a rough idea on how it is sitting. Had a good weekend and today am enjoying a bucket load of sunshine coming in my window right near the couch I am sitting on, so really lovely and it is amazing what a bit of sunshine will do for one! Only had the occassional booster over the weekend, but feeling good and positive and 2 1/2 weeks away from DD's gestation, would love to pass it :D

Take care all and :bellyrubs: xxoo

Well this is a bit odd :lol:

2 weeks of posts missing and I can't remember what was posted last :rofl:

Oh well here is an update from my OB appointment today - Wooo Hooo 33 weeks!!!

Summary of appointment :)

Fluid levels ~ have dropped again but are just above 10 so ok to keep going
Dopplers ~ looking consistent with last couple of weeks
Placenta ~ is starting to calcify, but is within the normal range for those signs, it merely highlights that it wouldn't last to 39-40 weeks.
Growth ~ OB decided to wait another week for a growth scan, which is cool by me :)
Position ~ is firmly bum down and wiggling into an engaged position, but in the best presentation for a breech delivery.
Meds ~ Nifedipine to stay at 100mg and Progesterone at 90mg, the dropping of the dosage isn't working and it isn't worth the risk of dropping it, and will be maintaing both until 36 weeks ~ then we drop the meds and see what happens.
Rest ~ Bed/couch rest to continue - looking at it that we have come 5 weeks and now how 4 at the most to go, so past half way!!
Hospital ~ Our local private hospital will now accept (well two Paeds will) at 35 weeks, so to know that it is less than 2 weeks away is really really cool :cool: but would still love to see 37 weeks! :leap:

I hope everyone else is doing well and look forward to catching up on all the news!!! :dance:

:dance::dance::dance: beema thats fanatastic hun!!!
OMG u must be feeling so much more positive about getting to 35 weeks and beyond now!!

congrats on hitting miss N's gestation as well!!!!

like u i cant remember what was and wasnt posted....:doh:

AFM:

WE MADE IT TO 24 WEEKS ON MONDAY!!!! :birthday2:

So i hade my OB appt on monday, and he is very happy!!
my BP is 100/45 so low but he isnt to worried about it
my fundal height is 27weeks not 24weeks but again he isnt worried
ive put on 200g in 4 weeks so im still just under 4kg UNDER my pre preg weight :dance: i loooove that!! LOL
im having a scan in 4 weeks to check placenta pozzie, and the glucose test, just the hour one as well. i tried to get out of it, but my OB said we need it done coz of my pa being diabetic so im cool with that....

i was worried becasue im getting kicked to the hills in my cervix and down very low and i was worried about my stitch, so he threw the US on and like flicker, wormette is quite comfy in the breech position, her little bum ( and a cute little bum it is too!) is squished right down near my cervix, or it was the other day.
im still being kicked down there so she hasnt moved yet..... im giving it till my scan to start trying things to move her before she gets to big and comfy....

ooohhhh and we had our baby shower on saturday, we had a blast, was so full on and im glad i had it when i did thats for sure!!
little madam was super spoilt and im struggling to find places to store everything!!

hope everyone is well!!

Beema - Yay on making to to 33 weeks! Not long to go now :)

Crumpet - Yay on making it past 24 weeks!

afm - 12wks 2 days today! Yay!

We still don't have our internet connected. They were supposed to contact us when we'd been approved, but hubby had to ring up last week just to find out whether we had or not, so not happy in that department. I want to know when they're coming around to install everything so I can make sure I have the money ready in my bank account to pay for it all.
So I gave in and bought a bit of pre-paid credit this week.

Other news, I have been feeling little flutters just behind my pelvic bone for 2 weeks now! So excited, but I haven't been entirely sure that it was the bub... thought it was gas at first, but that feels ENTIRELY different lol

Still taking it easy, chowing down on lollies and chocolate every chance I get, and have been craving CocaCola for the past 2 weeks as well lol, I know it's not good for me, but it helps ease the MS soooo much!
Speaking of MS, it seems to be fading a bit, I now have more good days than bad days, and the last 4 mornings I have been waking up feeling pretty good and wide awake for a change lol

I've been busy busy busy trying to get a few bracelets made for some lovely ladies I know who lost their bubs, but it's been freezing cold in my study/workroom (aka the mess hole lol I swear I have no idea how I find anything in there it's so messy) and I haven't been able to spend much time in there, means I'm stuck on the couch being bored the rest of the time.

I had a bit of pink spotting this morning and some AF-type cramping, but it has cleared up now.
I have a scan tomorrow afternoon, as after the scare the other week after the rugby game I called my OB's office and spoke to one of the lovely midwives there who asked me to come in and get a referral for a scan. When I told her about my GP refusing to give me the 12wk scan referral just because I didn't want the bloodtest she told me it was stupid and my GP doesn't know what she's talking about as the 12wk scan isn't just for the NT, but also to measure bubs growth and to make sure that everything is developing normally.
I also got to meet some of the other midwives and had a bit of a chat with them, and they are all so nice and friendly.
It was a really great experience. I get to see them again next week, on the 22nd, as I have to see a midwife and get assessed etc before I see the OB, but they said they'd try to get the OB in for a chat on the day since it is one of the days he will be in.

All in all it's looking like it will be a really good birth experience

Also, planning on heading to the melbourne show with DS and hubby on the 26th, so if anyone else is heading there on that day and wants to catch up we should organise it now

Hi guys, just stopping in briefly. Scan went really well.

Bub was measuring at 13wks! Finally it's grown a bit quicker lol must be all those lollies and chocolate I've been eating lol

Heart rate was 150bpm, so 2bpm less than the 9wk scan, but still all good.

AND.............. it's a little wriggler! It was kicking and wriggling and turning around in circles (not that there is much room in there, which made me a bit worried... its it normal for the sac to be slightly flat and jellybean shaped? Also, I could see the edge of the sac in the picture we got... that seems a bit weird to me!

Anyway, I now know that it is defiantely bub that I have been feeling moving, as while I was having the scan I felt some it's more energetic kicks and wriggles while I was watching them on the screen. It was so amazing! It's been wriggling all morning too, especially just after I finished my brekkie of Nutrigrain lol

MS is almost gone - only had 2 days out the last 5 days where I felt a bit queasy in the mornings and that was yesterday and today. Although, I was watching bondi vet last night and they made a dog throw up to get a g-string that it had eaten out of its stomach and it almost amde me hurl watching that.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Hi all

Jenna - glad the scan was good, sounds great, really pleased for you.

Hi to everyone else.

afm - had my 20 week scan last Friday, Bub is good, measuring about 4 days ahead, they put my EDD as the 4th Feb, I have is as the 8th. So will keep it as is anyway.
Decided to keep the sex of Bubs a surprise for the kids, they are so exited discussing what it is going to be. I thought if I told anyone, then they will slip up in front of the kids and let the cat out of the bag.
The depressing news from the scan is that my c-section scar is really thin, so I will be very closely monitored now, may be in hospital early in preg on bedrest and will deliver early, so definitely looks like this Bub will be a premmie.
Upset about the scar because all was looking so well until now. Had a scan at 15 weeks, then at 17 weeks (when the Ob said all was so good that he didn't need to see me so often) then had the emergency scan at 19 weeks when I fell over, the sonographer never even mentioned a problem then.
Just having to try and take it easy at the moment, that is easier said than done with 4 kids at home.
Sorry for the down and depressing post, got another scan tomorrow, so will pop back and say hi then.

take care all

Hi!

Jenna Jayen ~ fabulous news on your scan hun, so so happy for you :leap:and for the MS reducing, you must be feeling great!!

BF ~ Fabulous news on bubs growth on your scan as well :leap: and big :hug: for the c-sec scar being thin, hopefully with the close monitoring and rest if you need it they can keep bubs baking for as long as possible. I know how you feel when you think things are going ok, then there is a spanner thrown in the works :hug:

Crumpet ~ woooo hooo for getting to 25 weeks and almost 26 weeks!! Your pregnancy seems to be flying to me now!!!



AFM ~ We passed DD's gestation :leap: and got through the last week os so ok!

I apologise now for the big update it has been a big afternoon...

Ahhhh so things didn't go to plan today, considering how upbeat and positive I have been the last two days this evening I have been a bit shell shocked....

Some of todays appointment wasn't a real surprise, we have been expecting it, but others not so much... it started when I saw my MW first, she had to check my BP numerous times, before she settled with the reading. Which was 120/80.
We also went through some mroe information on labour and what to expect... but moreso had a big chat about some changes with what dates the hospital will and won't accept, apparently there was a big meeting on Tuesday and everyone is confused as to whether it is now 34 weeks 1 day or 36 weeks or possibly 35 weeks....

When I got in to see my OB we went through what that plan was going to be, we have some specific dates in place and while she is going overseas, she is only going for a portion of her leave, and she will actually come in a deliver bubs if we get to the point when she returns which is a lot earlier than we had originally discussed. She also discssed about doing a cold section next week, if we were 1/2 a week further along she would do it, but doesn't want to push it earlier than 36 weeks unless we need to. So I have an end date now that we won't be going past either way but I won't share when that will be ;)

We then started the scan, Flicker position is transverse breech, basically a crappy position again :rolleyes: she did the AFI measurements and they had gone up to 13 which was great news and a positive that will make a big difference further along in the post. She then did the growth scan, and this is where we saw the start of the problems. Flickers growth is now asymetrical, the HC has gone out to measuring 37-38 weeks, the Femur length is still on gestational age, but the AC (abdominal circumference) is now two weeks behind (on the best measurement). EFW is 2400grams is a good weight. About the same size as DD when she was born. But the variations of 32-37/38 weeks is the concern.

The dopplers were stable which is a good positive.

Following the scan is when we sat down and looked at the whole picture..

So while 120/80 is not a bad reading on it's own, but considering it has gone up from 110/60 in just over a week on top of being on a constant high dosage of Nifedipine (which lowers BP) is the problem. I cannot drop or reduce my Nifedipine at all, it could be very dangerous for both of us, risking my BP flying through the roof.

In conjunction with the rise has been a increase in swelling over the past week, I had previously put it down to just normal pregnancy, it may be a side effect of the Nifedipine or if it is combined with the BP it could be a sign of PE (completely unexpected in my case).

Because the AFI had risen and the Dopplers were stable she allowed me to come home, if either of these were not stable or improved I would have been shipped of to hospital this afternoon.

I am going in tomorrow for a series of blood and urine tests not sure if all or any of these will make sense :lol:
Blood group and Antibodies (pretty normal)
LVS for C&S
CBP
MBA20
Spot Urine - Pr:Ci Index

Which if all goes to plan we will get the results on Tuesday morning. If anything changes with me between now and Tuesday I have to call her mobile ASAP, we have no buffers no room to move etc. I need to keep a close eye on movements, changes in my contractions, headaches, extra swelling etc.

Tuesday is D Day. We will review the whole picture with all the test results and she will determine what we do, even if we get some good results she may said we may have already gone as far as is safe and Flicker will need to arrive much sooner, it is both of us are being affected now... induction is not an option as we can't stop the Nifedipine, a VB is only possible if my waters break between now and Tuesday and it is deemed safe on presentation for both of us. But it is almost inevitable that it will be a section whether it be sooner or can we continue the meds for a bit longer and get to FT. She is not OS for all of her holidays, and she has booked in a date that we will not be going past, she will come in specifically to do the section even though she is on leave, I won't reveal the dates gotta keep something else a secret other than the sex, but I will let my PIG know on the morning or evening or just before if we know that far ahead.... I will be getting an extra dose of steroids early next week as well to give Flickers lungs an extra boost.

So I am going to have to venture out over the weekend any buy some granny underwear to pack in my bag!

wow a lot happened for u yesterday hun.....

so ur OB thinks ur at ur limit now??

you have done so well to get flicker this far, but come on let us know the end date!!! :lol:

im guessing next week sometime!!

i dont have any advice but just know im thinking of you....

thanks hun, its slowly flying along!! nearly on fortnightly appts now!!

sory girls no other personals my best friend had her bub last night so i gotta go out and get her present and head to the hospital!

Morning all,

Jennajayen - So glad your u/s went well.

BF - So sorry about your c/s scar, How many c/s's have you had? This will be my 4th, and TBH no one has mentioned anything about my c/s scar, they havent even looked at it. Was it your ob that checked it or was it by u/s? Take it easy hun. hugs

Crumpet - So glad all is going well with you, and yay for being still under your pre preg weight. Double yay for 26wks hitting you soon. hugs

Beema - Ohh hun, what a day you had yesterday. Its so wonderful that you made it past Little N's date, yet it definately doesnt seem as though they are going to let you go much further. Its so great your almost at 35wks, you should be so proud of yourself. Im hoping all is ok with your BT results etc when you find out on Tuesday, so GL today with it all. Soon little Flicker will be safe and sound in your arms. Look after yourself hun. hugs

AFM - Well have had a few not so good BSL readings, but apart from those ones I think I am doing pretty well with the GD. I am over all the hospital appts, but they are doing really well keeping an eye on things, so as long as it helps bub I dont mind. Have my u/s and OB appt at the hospital on Tuesday, so I am really hoping bub is within the normal ranges and the BPD is too. I dont know but I just dont look forward to the u/s's, I seem to hold my breathe at everyone until I have some good news. Is anyone else feeling that way? Ohh and my thyroid meds have been bumped up to double one day a week, and the rest of the week remains unchanged, to try and get it back within normal ranges. Ohh and 26wks today for me, yet could possibly have bubs in another 12wks not 14wks time so time is definately flying, I am sooo not ready.

:

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Crumpet - So glad all is going well with you, and yay for being still under your pre preg weight. Double yay for 26wks hitting you soon. hugs

AFM - Well have had a few not so good BSL readings, but apart from those ones I think I am doing pretty well with the GD. I am over all the hospital appts, but they are doing really well keeping an eye on things, so as long as it helps bub I dont mind. Have my u/s and OB appt at the hospital on Tuesday, so I am really hoping bub is within the normal ranges and the BPD is too. I dont know but I just dont look forward to the u/s's, I seem to hold my breathe at everyone until I have some good news. Is anyone else feeling that way? Ohh and my thyroid meds have been bumped up to double one day a week, and the rest of the week remains unchanged, to try and get it back within normal ranges. Ohh and 26wks today for me, yet could possibly have bubs in another 12wks not 14wks time so time is definately flying, I am sooo not ready.

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thanks hun!! :hug:

glad ur managing ur GD ok, and good luck with ur scan on tuesday hopefully baby is looking good..
happy 26 weeks!!! like u im sitting round 12 weeks left and thats a scary thought!

Thanks Crumpet :hug:

It is looking that we might have reached our limit, a number of the tests I had done today were tesing my liver and kidney function, checking for infection and a few other things, so the decisions that are made on Tuesday are going to be looking at babies and my own health and she will determine then whether we can continue for a bit longer or not. Either way I am happy with what we have achieved, I am doing a few things for me, aside from finalising some work :rolleyes: over the weekend and writing a CS Birth plan and also a plan of attack for breast feeding after delivery.

Ooohh nearly fortnightly appointments, you are just doing fabulously I'm so proud and happy for you, every day is a new experience :leap:

Csab ~ Thanks hun, we have achieved so much more than we expected and I know I have done everything I can to keep Flicker baking as long as possible and we have come a hell of a long way and every day has made a difference and what ever we have left whether it be days or a week or two I am happy with what ever the plan of attack is.

I am glad they are keeping a close eye on you, but all the appointments can get very exhausting, wishing you all the best for Tuesday, it's going to be a big day for the both of us, I am hoping that your bubs BPD is looking great :hug:

Hope everyone else is doing well :bellyrubs:
xxoo

Beema, you have done the most amazing job of baking this little one,what a fantastic gestation to get bubs to, you amazing woman
short post, sitting giving our spunky man a bottle while tummy mummy gets some much needed sleep, looking forward to flickers safe arrival :hug:

:

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Thanks Crumpet :hug:

It is looking that we might have reached our limit, a number of the tests I had done today were tesing my liver and kidney function, checking for infection and a few other things, so the decisions that are made on Tuesday are going to be looking at babies and my own health and she will determine then whether we can continue for a bit longer or not. Either way I am happy with what we have achieved, I am doing a few things for me, aside from finalising some work :rolleyes: over the weekend and writing a CS Birth plan and also a plan of attack for breast feeding after delivery.

Ooohh nearly fortnightly appointments, you are just doing fabulously I'm so proud and happy for you, every day is a new experience :leap:

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ill be keeping my fingers crossed for some outstanding test results hun!!
but good idea to make sure u have ur birth plans sorted just incase and u know, even if u have flicker next week ur a SUPERSTAR MUMMY!!!!
ive said it before but u inspire me to get as far as i can with as little issues as possible, and have given me the confidence to think i can get to term, so big thank you hun!! :hug:

thank you, its just amazing to think of where we are at, im still stunned to be honest!!

my best friend had a baby girl on thursday and we went in and took pizzas for dinner last night, and it was great for DH and i to spend so much time with a newborn, ive realised i think i was expecting a baby the size of a 3 month old to be coming out!!
i changed molly's nappy and wow newbies are a lot smaller than i thought they were, and then i fed her and i was like a stunned mullet!!!
so i guess its fair to say im a bit nervous now!!even though i know the middies will be able to help us a lot, i didnt think id be to bad. but i think ill be asking for a lot more help than i realised.

was a good eye opener for both DH and I..... dont know who is more terrified!

What a road you've travelled Beema. Sending you all of my love and positive vibes for Tuesday. Will be thinking of you and waiting to hear how everything is going. BIG hugs to you hun, I admire you greatly xx :hug:

Good afternoon all

Thankyou Maybub :hug:

Crumpet ~ I hope that out of all of this that my journey can give others hope, we have been hit by nearly every complication in the book, but have still mananged to keep on going and get this far, a lot of medical intervention and monitoring but it has been worth every second!!!

Awww it must have been lovely to have snuggles with a newborn.... awwwwwww...

csab ~ hope you are going along well hun :hug:

Sally2 ~ it was the journey your family travelled that was a huge inspiration for me, if you could all do it we could!

AFm ~ I am back and had some lunch, after being in my OB's office for a couple of hours I needed to eat!

We have reached the end of the road...

My body can't keep going like this, we have no where to go with the meds, on the CTG this morning I was getting 2-3 minutes rest between contractions with all the Nifedipine and Crinome on board

The pockets of fluid we had last week are gone

Growth dropped off further

My BT's from Thursday came back good!

So this is where it all ends....

I have had a top up of steroids this morning, so giving those little lungs an extra boost, especially as bubs won't experience the "squeeze" that DD did.

A C-Sec has been booked, the team of Paeds has been prepped (as there are only two Paeds at NECH who will take on bubs as early and size of Flicker), so both will be tag teaming the care of Flicker and another LO. My Prem Mum buddy who is a week further along will be delivering before me, so it will be lovely in some ways that we are going in together, sad that neither of us have made it to term, but both of us have made it further than our previous prems which is pretty darn special :). I am thrilled to have made it to deliver at our private hospital and my OB will be doing the delivery :leap: and both babies have been told that they must behave, no transfers ;)

I won't be sharing the day or time, but it is before the week is out ~ so will be keeping you all in suspense :lol:

I am feeling a sense of relief now, I have an end date/time and I know how much longer I need to keep going. It has been a long road, but I can't be more proud of what we have achieved, and we should be meeting our take home baby very soon :D

We have everything in place, I am organised and prepared, I have to keep resting between now and delivery so no running out and about and just take it easy - so nothing new.

I guess that is it, the end of this pregnancy journey is near, making sure I get the last belly shots and spend some special time with DD and DH, and enjoy the squirming little bubba in my belly :loveshower:

I won't be leaving the thread completely I will be here keeping an eye on all of your lovely ladies gorwing some beautiful chubby full term bubbas! Thankyou for being sucha great support for me and I intend to continue to return the same support and positivity!

Hi all,

Just wanted to update you all.

Fistly though,

Beema - Have everything crossed for some good results today hun, I hope all went well. Hugs

Crumpet - Congratulations to your friend hun, how is everything else going with you. Im sorry I havent been around much. Hug

Well todays scan was ok, was relieved to see that the BPD had come back within normal ranges, still on the small side, but at least on the graph, I think by looking at it about the 10th percentile, way better than like the 3rd percentile. Huge relief. However this time the bubs abdominal circumference has dropped off the graph. Less than the 5th percentile, and bubs weight is sitting at approx the 6th percentile. Est weight is aprox 788gm. Anyhow they are going to do another scan in 3wks time, to see how bub is growing, and I have been told that if the next few growth scans arent very good, then bub will be delivered sooner rather than later. At the moment they are hoping to push it as close as possible to 35-36wks. Yet it all depends on the next growth scan or two, which will be the deciding factors. Ohhh and bub is still breech, which doesnt make any difference for me due to the c/s. I also mentioned to them about expecting bub to be bigger due to the GD, but they said that it can go either way, even though it isnt as common, yet other things could be factoring into the poor growth such as me neing ANA positive.

Beema - We both posted at the same time, well almost. lol.

You should be very proud of yourself hun, you have done an awesome job bringing flicker as far as you have. Yay for getting sooo close to 36wks hun, and it will be such a lovely surprise for us when you announce the safe arrival of flicker. Im am super excited for you. May I ask how big little flicker is estimated at weighing?

2.5kg :) just a tad bigger than his/her bigger sister who was 2350grams at 33 +4 weeks, it just happens to be the minimum that the Paeds were willing to accept, so it will be interesting to see how accurate the scan ends up being, we might be in a bit of trouble with the Paeds if bubs is smaller :lol:, but the main Paed is the same DD had and he took her on at 34+1 weeks and 2.1kg ;)

Beema - just want to say, wishing you all the best of luck tomorrow. You are such a strong lady, through all you have gone through this preg and your little one is lucky to have a Mum like you.

Hi to everyone else,

Will try and catch up tomorrow, just been discharged from hossy, had scar pain and now got shortening cervix as well, joy!!!

Just sneaking in to let you know that Flicker is safely here! A baby girl, arrived this morning, is in SCN on O2, but hoping that will prevent transfer. There are more details in the BA thread I posted!

Thanks very much Mummytummy, thats wonderful news on the safe arrival of Beemas little baby girl. Am off now to check out the BA. Thanks again.

thanks MT!!!


congrats again beema!!! xxxxxx

hi to you other gorgeous girls!!

CSAB- hope ur travelling along ok hunni :hug:

Hi crumpet, sorry have so much going on in my head at the moment. Ive noticed you had a bit of difficulty breathing hun, please dont leave it next time hun, keep an eye on it and see your Dr if it happens again. ok. I think all this worrying about bub maybe playing with my BSL's as they have been playing up a bit, yet I cant blame the entire thing on the stress lol. I am so hoping I can steer clear of the insulin, but just not sure I will be able, especially with some of the readings. I feel like i am failing this bub.

BF - I hope you are ok and resting up hun. Sorry that you have been having a rough time of it. hugs

:

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Hi crumpet, sorry have so much going on in my head at the moment. Ive noticed you had a bit of difficulty breathing hun, please dont leave it next time hun, keep an eye on it and see your Dr if it happens again. ok. I think all this worrying about bub maybe playing with my BSL's as they have been playing up a bit, yet I cant blame the entire thing on the stress lol. I am so hoping I can steer clear of the insulin, but just not sure I will be able, especially with some of the readings. I feel like i am failing this bub.

BF - I hope you are ok and resting up hun. Sorry that you have been having a rough time of it. hugs

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yeah bit of a breathing thing going on....
after speaking to the OB yesterday if it gets bad again ill be off to hospital thats for sure!

u poor chicken, i hope things settle down for you soon..... and hunni ur not failing this baby, ur doing eVERYTHING u possibly can to get him/her here as safe and healthy as possible, and thats all any good mummy can do!! :hug::hug:

Hi guys, just stopping in briefly.

We have internet again! Our internet was finally connected on monday, though we spent the next 2 days without it due to a mixture of an installation fault and the high winds we had.

So I should be back on more often, or at least as often as this pregnancy allows me to get on lol

Beema - HUGE CONGRATS DARL! You made it so far, I'm soooo proud of you :) Well done!

csab - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that things start to improve! And that they don't get any worse!!!

Crumpet - thinking of you!

afm - I had a bleed on wednesday last week - woke up with approx 2tspn's of bright red blood accompanied by regular cramping, so rushed to hospy and had to wait 6 hours before I was seen. Finally got in to have a scan and bub was doing ok, thank god! Even put it's fingers in it's mouth for us just to let us know everything was going good.
No sign of where the bleed came from - as it was with the spotting I'd had previously - but we had been to the Melbourne Show the day before and I'd overdone it a bit with the walking and we didn't get home until after midnight as the V-Line trains weren't running from Flinders St, so the stress of waiting for a bus to take us to Pakenham so we could get on the train there and then having to wait 45mins for the train to leave Pakenham probably contributed as well.

Everything is good now - on couch rest until the 6th when I see the midwife again (I was in emergency when I was supposed to be having my first midwife appointment, and luckily the midwife was able to come down to emergency to see me so we got all the basic stuff done, just have to do some other paperwork now and book into the hospital).

So I'm just crampy and achy and have a pinched nerve in my back that is making it hard to sleep, just taking panadol as often as I'm allowed as that seems to help a little bit.
Anyway, I must go as I'm exhausted and need to get some sleep.

Hope you're all doing ok!

Crumpet - Hope everything is well with you and no more difficulty in breathing episodes. Yay for the 27wks hun. hugs

Jenna - Thankyou hun, I hope everything has settled with the bleeding. Keep up that bedrest. hugs

Well just another update from me, need to go and prepare dinner for everyone. I feel totally exhausted. Have been at the hospital every week lately and now need to go again tomorrow.
Now for the reason for tomorrows hospital visit. I have now been told that I need to go on insulin. So double yippee for me. I was sort of expecting it as my BSL levels havent been all that great. So now i have to have insulin twice a day at lunch and dinner times. So tomorrows visit is to get shown how to give myself the insulin. I feel sick to the stomach, I am so not looking forward to this, I am really worried about it being painful, even though they say it doesnt hurt, yet it is the thought.

Csab, it honestly doesnt hurt!!! make sure u get the purple BD needle heads, theyre the smallest one, 5mm, anything over that hurts me, there a spot about 5cm to left and right of ur belly button that it never hurts, anything other than that does tend to sting a bit.
Finger p!ck!ng hurts more TBH.
Hope that eases ur fears a little bit
xx

Hi, I can sympathise with you completely! I am 14weeks and have to go in for surgery in about 3 weeks and have been in and out of hospital for months. I have a tumor on my right ovary, tests have been done for cancer etc and some have come back positive. They have given my baby a 50% chance of survival and i am soo scared! Im angry and concerned and just confused! I cant crawl up in a little ball and cry until i fall asleep as i have a beautiful little boy who needs me and a husband who is trying to support our family both mentally and financially! I need to be strong for this other little bubba inside me who i am not going to give up without a massive fight! You need to stay strong for your sake and your baby's sake!!

As for how i get through each day or week - I cant really tell you an exact answer to that one! I break down from time to time and have a bit of a pitty party and get so angry. I feel so sorry for my poor husband who has to cop the brunt of my out bursts! I think that if you surround yourself with people who are going to put positivity into your life and support you through your worst and rock bottom days that will help you emensely! Unfortunately though some days you will find (well i do at least) that nothing or no one can help you or say anything to make it better! Some days you just need to say 'you know what! this is crap! and i hate this!' and thats ok! Dont feel like you are a failure or any less of a mother, wife, friend or woman if you have a down time/day! Its totally understandable and expected!
Have you thought about seeing someone? Are you seeing the hospital for your care? if so, they have some really good people to talk to that will talk you through it all from both a supportive counsellor stand point and also the medical side of it which can really help sometimes. Sometimes all you need is for someone to be real and drop all the bull! I find sometimes that when people constantly say to me it will get better and its all going to be fine i get so crabby!!! And you know what sometimes you are going to feel like its not getting better and its not going to end but you need to affirm to yourself that hey, it might not get better anytime soon or it may not look that hopefull at the moment but no matter what happens and how things turn out you will get through it!
Sorry if thats a bit full on or direct but its just how i feel and i thought it might help....Maybe.

If it helps also i am a christian woman and i try to draw strength from god and his word. Leaning on that helps emensley! Even if your not really a religious person you may find that just having a few power scriptures will help you and give you peace. let me know if you would like any.

I hope all goes well for you and your bubba and you have a great pregnancy and a healthy little baby!

Best of luck.

xx