Pregnancy after LT TTC #14

[MaggiePie]

Hi girls,

Have been away for a bit with no internet (or even mobile service) so thought I would check in. I think I must have relaxed a but whilst away as have felt bub every day since then! It's just lovely.

Juniper, good on you for your good diet. I just ate a packet of twisties. Oh well...

CK77 - firstly - you must be flexible! IYKWIM! And on the breastfeeding / working thing. I went back to work for one day when DD was 3 1/2 months old. I managed to work it so she had 2 feeds in the morning (one first thing and one at drop off), and two in evening (one at pick up and just before bed), as well as her usual night feed. At work I found that I only had to express once a day, in my lunch break. Yes my boobs would be pretty full by the end of the day but it worked. And then I only had to express once more in the week to have enough milk for her to drink whilst I was at work. If you can get to six months before going back to work it could be easier as bub will be having solids then too. Just keep an open mind, and do what you can and what is right for you. And don't feel like a failure if you have to supplement with formula - you could BF morning and night and have formula for the day if you need too. Just be confident that you WILL work out what is best for you when the time comes.

Worrywart - I think if you are worried about unneccessary intervention a good plan is to do your birth plan; but mostly to talk to your partner as they can be your main advocate during labour. I remember that at times I did feel helpless and it is very easy to be led into decisions that you don't really agree with. But my DH was like 'what is that for?, why do you need to do that?" etc etc. He was really great, and questioned a bit and stuck up for me. I think if you already have a good relationship with your OB, maybe do a birth plan now and discuss it at the next visit???

Have to laugh about the 'going to hell' thing. I think all us mums will! I have used both cloth and disposable and there is no wrong or right answer. If you are worried about the environment there are fully biodegradeable disposable nappies so use those. I have hardly used the cloth since being preg as couldn't stand the poo with m/s. So I guess I am going to hell too! Just do whatever feels right at the time, trust your instincts (mine have always been right - better than the dr's at times too) and you will all be great.

Brunette - good luck for the scan, hope that placenta has moved up!

AFM - have 19 week scan next Tuesday, getting excited. DH really wants to find out what we are having but I still don't really want to / am unsure. So we will see what happens next week!

[juniper76]

OMG Kelly!!!!!

You are going straight to hell!!!!!

See you there

Lol!

I completely agree that everyone has the right to choose what works best for them.

I have to admit, I decided against going to Nth West hospital because they have a reputation for a high rate of c-sections. I'd prefer to avoid a c-section if it's not necessary, as I'd prefer to avoid the associated recovery. But if something goes wrong and we need one I'm not about to refuse it. For me I just hope I've picked a doctor who will support a vaginal birth until it becomes a risk, rather than when it becomes an inconvenience (as some Drs are reputed to do).

I'd also like to avoid the epidural if I can get by without it. Firstly, the idea of a needle in my spine freaks me out (I've come a long way with my needle phobia, but not that far). Secondly, my SIL had unfortunate side effects from one of her epis and it just doesn't seem worth it right now. But, again, if it comes to the crunch and I just can't get by without that pain relief, then I'm not going to refuse it. It's amazing how many men will tell you to get the epi! Has anyone else had that?

To be honest, the whole labour and birth part scares the blazes out of me right now. I just hope I can learn enough between now and then to make informed decisions when the time comes. Otherwise, I'll just have to trust my Dr.

Oh, and while I plan to breastfeed, we're on Team Disposable for nappies! All those new shaped cloth nappies are very cute, but I just don't want to deal with the laundering. I know soiled clothing, sheets, upholstery, etc, are inevitable, but the more mess I can throw out instead of cleaning up, the better...

Anyway, I had some cramping yesterday which was freaking me out a little. But we've got our repeat anatomy scan this afternoon, so hopefully that will show that all is fine. Then we're off to our antenatal class with the physiotherapist tonight.

ps. Did Tim Tams get super sweet or has my taste for sugar just declined? I had a craving yesterday and they seemed outrageously sweet (the double coat version)... I could barely manage 2 biscuits.

ETA: MaggiePie, lol, when I bought the Tim Tams yesterday I also bought a multipack of Shapes biscuits. I just polished off two of those mini packs for "lunch". However, I'm about to have an apple too. That counts as a "balanced" diet, right? A bit of good, a bit of bad...

[worrywart]

Thanks girls for all of these comments about choice/birth options/nappy options/BF/formula options. It's encouraging just to hear that everyone does things differently. Of all my friends with kids (a lot), funnily enough the ones who've had c-sections seem the most chilled out as parents (that's probably just a massive coincidence though!). Anyway, I'm not sure what I'm saying here - just that obviously, it's the big picture that counts.

No one is going to hell! Or all of us are!

Maggie, on gender, did you find out previously? Let us know either way (if you find out or not).

AFM, saw OB today and he fairly cracked it about the scare-mongering at that class! I still feel a bit uncertain but we've gone through some details about the birth, and we'll bring in some dot points (reluctant to call it a "plan" ... you know, the best laid plans of mice and men ...). God knows what will happen. I'm pretty ... not confident. I do get teary now and then. I just have such a lack of confidence in myself. The thing is, I think I need to forget about it for a while, and just focus on enjoying this time. Bubs is kicking a fair bit. We heard the heart beat! All is good except permanent thrush which won't budge. I'm on cream the whole time and trying to avoid sweets/white flour.
Take care all,
WW

[Brunette]

Maggie, GL with your scan next week. If you do give in to temptation and find out the flavour of bub, are you keeping it a secret or sharing

Thanks, Chrissy. I would love to hear the tips on how to handle introducing newborns to pets. I’m (literally) hanging out for my scan tomorrow too GL with yours next week. I find now my OB only takes a couple of seconds at each scan and I want to say, `No, I’m not done yet, give me some more viewing time.’

Juniper, GL with your scan this afternoon. How come a repeat anatomy scan? Hope you enjoy your antenatal classes. I’m going the opposite way with sugar: I love it and cannot get enough of it! Must stop or the 11 kilo weight gain I’ve so far had will well and truly blow out!

WW, try not to worry as when the time comes I am sure your inner strength will kick in and you will make the right decisions for you and your baby. That's a bummer about having permanent thrush and not being able to get rid of it. I hate thrush; it's the pits. You're being so good in avoiding sugar. As I said above, I'm in lurve with it ATM. Very naughty I know.

I’m loving the `going to hell’ conversation. I have found many people to be this way, both online and in real life, and it is one thing that annoys the hell out of me. I firmly believe women should support other women’s choices, whether that is formula or BFing, CS or vaginal, cloth or disposables etc. I have come across some Nazis from the ABA, too, and nearly had a row with one woman when I went to get information on expressing pumps for hire. I was basically told to read some literature on the topic of mixed feeding as it leads to nipple/teat confusion for the babies. My partner is wanting to help me feed the twins for the 10 pm feed (he’s a night owl and I could grab a few hours sleep!) I told her I had read plenty of literature about the topic and a number of experts recommend introducing a bottle early (around 3 weeks) if at some stage you’re going to bottle feed otherwise it can be extremely difficult for them to transition. She made me so cross.

[juniper76]

Brunette, FX for your scan tomorrow. I hope your placentas are cooperating. We had a repeat anatomy scan because bub was uncooperative at the first one. In particular they couldn't get good shots of her face (to check nose, lips, etc). Even yesterday we only got the profile shot at the last second just as the sonographer was about to give up on getting it. She likes to hide her face. No shame in showing us she's a girl, but doesn't want us to see her face - go figure... The good news is the OB at the centre did get our first ever (and probably last before she's born) 3D shot of her face right at the end too. I haven't had a chance to scan it in yet, but really wish I had it here with me at work to stare at all day!

So, scan went well. All fingers and toes accounted for, heart good, brain present, good fluid, etc. Antenatal class was good too. It was all about body changes, safe lifting procedures, how to sit, how to stand, how to sleep, etc. I knew a lot of it, but did learn some things, so worth attending.

[grub17]

just jumping on here. it's very early days for us (5 weeks on sunday) so keep fingers crossed.

After reading that list, i see KellyD and I have the enviable position of making both the lists ie due 2011; spawned 2009! lol. We must be nuts!

We have just the one GrubbyBubby due on June 26 2011 Only had two embies to use and this was the first cab off the rank, so to speak. So we were a bit floored to find out it, gulp, worked first go! seriously, who ever has that luck!

i'm sure i'll get to know you all over the next few months. but for now HI!!!!

take care of yourselves! ox

[Brunette]

Juniper, that's great news that everything is where it should be with bub. How cute that she hides her face but not her genitalia 3D facial photos are the best. Glad you got something from your 1st antenatal class.

Welcome and H&H 9 months, Grub! Wow, on both lists too. You are going to be very busy. Great news that it worked first time for you, too.

31 weeks for me today, yay! We get to see our babies in a couple of hours so can't wait for that. Wish me luck!

[CK77]

Welcome Grub, and congratulations on number 2!

Juniper - we (DH and I) also found the antenatal class that included the session on physio the most interesting... although I felt like the failure of the class as I can't seem to use those lower belly muscles to 'bring the baby in towards my spine' and I don't think my pelvic floor muscle is up to scratch. Regarding the high rate of c-sections at Nth West, do you have any information on that or can you point me in the right direction (I wonder if there's info on which OBs have the highest rate of them, knowing my luck it'll be mine). Really glad you got the face shot of your little one, I'm guessing it's already stuck up on the fridge!

Brunette - hope all went well at your scan and you can have a nice relaxing weekend. I'll take a notepad with me to the dog class thingee tomorrow and jot down anything of interest.

Oh and MaggiePie, I'm not THAT flexible - remember DH and I haven't DTD for quite a while so my belly wasn't as big then

Re going to hell - I'm trying to err on the side of au natural (cloth nappies, b/feeding without formula assistance) but I've got a very opinionated SIL with two littlies who likes to tell me that I'll never keep up the cloth nappies and they've done reports and it works out to be about the same cost overall as disposable when you factor in laundry (electricity + detergents). It's more the environmental reasons but there's no trying to reason with her, she's right, I'm wrong - why bother. Re introducing expressed breast milk, I was going to aim to do this pretty much straight away but at the antenatal class that focussed on breastfeeding the lactation consultant said it's best to wait until about 6wks when baby is very confident on the boob and established in a pattern... (great, I was hoping for the 2am feed to be done by DH - no cigar!)
So it seems that whatever way you swing, there's always going to be those that don't agree with your choices - so be it. It's not their body nor is it their child.

So, my night will be spent hand washing up a massive load of dirty dishes. Our dishwasher broke and DH is YET to call them and get it fixed. Do I have to do everything around here??!!

Have a great weekend all....

[grub17]

brunette, how did you go?

ck77 - just blah to everyone else. you'll muddle through with what's best for you. We do cloth nappies (both mcn and terry squares) as well as sposies (going out and at night) and I got a lot of negative feedback from friends etc when I said i was going cloth. I usually found that saying condescendingly that "i really don't find putting on a load of washing a strenuous task" would put thme in their place!!!

talking of washing....

I wish my preg would hurry up and make itself known. apart from the ocassional twinge and feeling sick on and off, I keep forgetting that i'm supposed to be preg! which worries me no end!

[TaRhLi.]

Grub: Don't wish too hard my friend. I'm sick as a dog at the moment with all day nausea and tiredness and Tara either is getting a cold or her molar teeth, so I'm feeling it big time. Before you know it your little one will be letting you know that it's there and you will be counting down the days until it gives you some peace and quiet again.

Brunette: How did you manage to increase your calorie intake??? I've been aware that I will need to consume more calories to feed "bubble & squeak" but am finding it hard at the moment to eat. I've generally been having 5/6 small meals a day but by the time dinner rolls around the thought of some good protein makes me gag. Poor DH is having to fend for himself at the moment as I just don't feel like having a normal dinner. Any suggestions would be great.

Hello to everyone else, I'm going to go have a lie down.... I'm exhausted....

[juniper76]

CK, it was a while ago, so I don't remember any specifics. I had a list of half a dozen OBs and googled their names (not a lot of info since all the forums are scared of being sued). I think you can post a question on the OB recommendation board here on BB and ask people to PM you any experiences they have with your doctor. I tried asking a question but only got one response, so it may not help.

[WeeMansMummy]

Hi girls! Im back for holidays and sick as a dog. Hope all is good in here!
Welcome and congrats Grub

[Brunette]

CK, I was thinking about why NWPH might have higher CS stats than other hospitals, and one reason it could be is that the IVF clinic virtually nextdoor would surely be sending a lot of traffic (ie PG women) their way. Plus a lot of women doing IVF are older (like me), there are probably higher numbers of multiples born (again, like me) and hence higher likelihood of CS being required (again, like me). Did you hear about a recent study which/showed that there are higher stats of CS occurring in private hospitals versus public hospitals? The study showed that OBs had good reasons for recommending CS; it wasn't just a matter of a woman saying `I want one', more that better prenatal care discovered more issues of concern that required a CS. Hope that makes sense and makes you worry less about going to NW and having a CS as a possibility. Has your OB even suggested to you that you might need one? Best bet I think would be to take in your birth plan and discuss how you want your birth to proceed, and then see what he says about it. How was Sat's class?

Kelly, for my first trimester I was ravenous. Couldn't get enough food. I would wake at 5 or half 5 and my stomach would be demanding food, so I'd have some yoghurt and fruit by the side of my bed on ice in an icebag to munch on. I was on steroids, though, for the first trimester and this no doubt contributed to my hunger. My appetite normalised for the second trimester and now I find I'm hungry but it's hard to eat a normal meal as the indigestion/heartburn is quite uncomfortable as are T2's feet kicking me in the ribs! Small meals like you're doing sounds like the plan. I wouldn't worry too much if you're not wanting a big meal or protein for dinner. It's early days and AFM I found that whatever I was craving in the first trimester was exactly what I should have been having when I read some books on nutrition (ie salmon with bones for omega3, tomatoes, avocado etc). Juniper will tell you that she suffered really badly with MS and has lost multiple kilos but her baby is growing just fine. As has been explained to me, your baby (in our case babies) will take whatever they need and it's the mother who will be left deficient

Jaki, welcome back. Sorry to hear you're not feeling well.

AFM, the scan on Friday was a mammoth event. I was on my back (albeit propped up on about 3 pillows) for at least an hour and right near the end the sonographer was pushing really hard on my lower stomach to try to scan the placenta. If she couldn't get an accurate shot without T1 in it then she was going to have to do an internal My back had been aching for about 20 minutes and I was starting to feel quite faint but I perservered until she got the shot, then I had to sit up as I thought I was going to either be sick or faint. I've never felt like that before but I imagine it's how you feel if you have low BP. We didn't get to see T1's face as bub was head down and spine upwards, exactly as you'd want it if ready to give birth! So was T2 but we got a partial shot of this bub's face which was nice. Havent' seen T1 since 19 weeks now as this bub wasn't playing ball at the 27 week scan either. As for their growth, both are on the 10th percentile. T1 is estimated to be 3lbs 4 oz (1.467ks) and T2 is estimaed to be 3lbs 5 oz (1.508). So on pure baby weight alone I'm carrying 3 kilos! Not to mention two placentas, amnio filled sacs, extra blood and fluid! At 31 weeks I have gained 12 kilos which I think is not too bad. My placenta is 24mm away from the edge of the cervix. It needs to be 50mm away for it not to be an issue. I have another scan in 3 weeks time. By this stage (34 weeks) if it hasn't moved further up it's apparently unlikely to do so. It's now been termed minor placenta praevia. I'll let you all know how I go at my 34 week scan. All up, I'm very happy they're growing nicely and no issues with the babies.

[WeeMansMummy]

Great news brunette! FX that the pesky placenta shifts it

[TaRhLi.]

Thanks Brunette, with DD I also lost weight in the first trimester and all up only ended up putting on 6kg's in total. I actually weighed less walking out of hospital than before I was pregnant. I'm seeing my ob tomorrow so he will hopefully give me some idea as to what I should be looking at with weight gain this time around. DD was only 7lb when born so I'm already predicting that these ones will be tiny bubba's as well, considering they will likely come earlier than DD. As for you placenta, the week before I had my c/s with DD I had a scan to check the position on the placenta, it was anterior but had slipped down and at delivery it was a full on placenta previa where they even had to cut through the placenta to get DD out. I was also anemic at the time so they were worried about blood loss but I only lost a normal amount of blood although I was having BT's for the next 3 days after delivery to make sure my levels stabilised. My FS has already warned me the chance of having a placenta previa this time aorund is very high, although I will be having another c/s anyway as the lower portion of my uterus is "underdeveloped" and there is no way that a babies head can engage anyway.

[juniper76]

Kelly... Juniper will tell you that she suffered really badly with MS and has lost multiple kilos but her baby is growing just fine. As has been explained to me, your baby (in our case babies) will take whatever they need and it's the mother who will be left deficient.

I lost 10kg in the 1st tri and have lost more since. This morning I was 15kg down from my weight on EPU day. The only thing I should add to this is that I started off very overweight (110kg), so even with the weight loss I'm not at risk of wasting away. I've been hovering between 95-97 for a few weeks now. I'm actually surprised I was down this morning since I gave in to my Tim Tam craving on the weekend... So far no indication of growth problems (either too little or too much) for bub at any scan. I'm hoping to stay at this weight (as long as bub remains healthy) because the Mater starts limiting your labour and birthing options when your BMI goes over 35 (mine is currently 33).

Brunette, FX for the next scan. Glad to hear Friday's scan went well.

Afm, once my ticker catches up to the correct day (at 3pm), it'll say 100 days to go...

[Leabie]

Hi all you lovely ladies!

Back from holidays, and like Jaki80, I'm sick as a dog. Head cold has migrated south on to my chest, as if I wasn't having enough trouble breathing already...

A massive CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to KellyD and grub17! Great to see you ladies in here. Brunette - how exciting that there's more twins!

Chrissy - I hear you on the cloth nappy thing, and people poo-pooing it (pardon the pun). I want to try reusables too, once I get my head around having a baby to look after, but so many people scoff when you say it. I had a quick look at 2 life cycle analyses of reusables vs disposables (one in England, one in Oz), and they both said if you wash in cold water and line dry, the environment is better off than if you use disposables. If you can't be bothered explaining this, just tell em to butt out! Its your baby, and your bills.

KellyD - I drank a lot of milk in my first trimester when I was too nauseous to eat, often adding Milo, Akta-Vite or Sustagen Sports. (Actually, I still do drink a lot of milk! Always craving it) Maybe you could try it to up your protein intake?

Sorry for not many persies today, hope you're all well and happy, and cooking along nicely!

[sunshine 11]

Hi everyone,
Welcome to Grub - wishing you a very H and H 9 months!

Kelly- my natural BMI is 18-19 and I lost weight at the beginning of this pregnancy but no-one was concerned but that doesn't help when it's you! I was advised to eat chips and sausages which being a person who can't really eat fatty foods normally without getting sick I didn't really see how that was supposed to help! It's really dangerous for anyone to compare weights in pregnancy as it is any other time because everyone is so different, so hope the OB can steer you in the right direction

Chrissy- I have a friend who is obsessed with cloth nappies and found the opposite problem of being cursed for using disposables! I think we can all be so competitive when the truth is, if someone is happy doing cloths or disposables, that should be the priority. Happy Mummy,Happy Baby I say!

Leabie and Jaki-hope you are feeling better soon, being sick sucks when you are pregnant.
Brunette- great news on your scan, glad to hear they are both doing well.

Hello to all you other lovely ladies - hope you are enjoying and looking after yourselves wherever you are.

AFM - No real news, baby is pretty quiet like their big sister was, so I don't really realise I am pregnant except when I get up out of a bed or chair or have to pick up my 18 month old. Beautiful weather is just starting up, which is just magic as it's nice weather here pretty much until mid May now which is fabulous!