Third trimester after LTTTC

Hey I was thinking about the fact that maybe we need trimester by trimester threads for Pregnant after LTTTC (cos what an amazing and wonderful year of BFPs! there are now so many of us!) Then a few recent posts I've read made me think maybe there are others who might like to talk about just those third trimester niggles, joys and worries with the added history of LTTTC. I know for me it feels somehow so much more real and close, and I feel like I have really relaxed into the preganancy, and yet am also still quite frightened at times. There is so much more to lose at this late stage.

Anyway, here is the thread, anyone want to join in? :D xx

Hey belly buddy!! I'm in!

It's been such a great year for PG after LTTTC - I can't believe how many of us there are, and they just keep coming!

Like you, I feel so much more relaxed now. The whole first trimester was a nightmare of anxiety, having miscarried previously, but it's really reduced now. I'm pretty apprehensive about the birth though, but mostly I really just want to meet my baby.

Only 8 weeks to go for us on Monday!

How are you feeling physically? It's starting to get a little bit tough for me, not sleeping very well etc.

I've only got two more weeks of work - can't wait to finish!

Devon
xxxx

Yay Devon! Thanks for joining in :D. It so exciting seeing the weeks count down hey? I said to DH this morning - in about 5 weeks our bubs will be considered fully cooked!! OMG :dance:

We must be in a parallel universe - I also finish work in 2 weeks, and am hanging out for it. Sleeping - I had a bad patch but improved the bed by folding a doona in half and sleeping on top of that. I was and still do sometimes wake up with aching butt cheeks, sounds weird I know ;). But my pilates teacher said in pregnancy the glutes take a lot of strain so it makes sense. Just have to stretch when I remember.

Also starting to get tired again, just don't have the same sort of stamina. Now if only this bub would turn around, I would feel a little more relaxed. I know its early days but I like to get prepared early..

Hope you are having a good weekend xx

Hey Numa

Yay for only two weeks of work! I just can't wait. I only work four days a week, so I've got 8 more work days to go. I think once I finish the baby's arrival is going to feel even closer. I'm looking forward to properly setting up and decorating the nursery with my mum, and I want some more mental space to get my head around what is happening, that we're actually having a baby. It's easy for the focus to drift off the baby when I'm busy with work and all the other demands of life. I want to give him a bit more attention.

How is your bub sitting at the moment? Have you been reading stuff on getting him/her to turn?

Have you got your names sorted out yet? We have a frontrunner, but still want to have other options in case the name we've got doesn't suit him when he arrives. Unfortunately the name we like is also the name of a friend of ours, but it's just so hard to find names we like that suit our surname.

I'm exhausted today. Yesterday DH and I took our dogs to the beach, and walked for about half an hour. Then I swam 50 laps in my parents' pool (maybe about 800 m), and afterwards I was shattered. Just can't do as much as I used to be able to. But I'm trying to get more exercise because I had a gestational diabetes scare, and I suspect that I do have some blood sugar issues, so I'm really trying hard to keep it under control.

Anyway, hope you're having a great weekend too.

Devon
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Hey belly buddies
Great idea Numa thanks and hope you dont mind me jumping in!
My little girl will be here 6 weeks on tuesday and im really starting to freak out, i havent organised anything and we have everyone staying over chrissi so i cant sort out her room oh well, im sure it will all happen!!!
Also very tired and very hormonal at the moment :doh: and startin to get a tad uncomfy, also heaps of BH's which i didnt have with DS so very strange, little Ava is head down already which is good but im sure there is still a chance she will turn back not that it really matters with the CS.
Are any of you having a 3d scan done, im going to have one on wednesday should be fun.
I have had chrissi functions all weekend and the heels, pregnancy and SPD definately dont mix. i actually had a huge stack on friday night at the resturant, which was sooooo embarrassing,:redface: pulled a few muscles and have a massive bruise on my arm!! i am almost 6 ft (over that with heels) and quite big build and i felt like such a big goof, but i tell you i have never jumped up so quick :rolleyes::lol:
Well look forward to keeping up with you all, this is such a great idea as i do find it hard to keep up with the other thread now (isnt it soo great that there are so many girls in there now!) well hope your having a great weekend :dance:

Hey Scooby, happy to hear from you and glad you found the thread! :dance: I think I put it in the wrong section - it should be in Pregnancy after LTTTC. I have asked the mods to move it but we'll see.... Now am hoping BW and Miss C find us as well :)

How exciting only 6 weeks to go!! And having a 3D scan! I'm not sure if I have any more scans of any sort...My OB usually just listens to the heartbeat. You poor thing having a stack, where was DH to catch you when you need him. Last time I wore heals we went to a wedding reception and I told DH I had to have him nearby every time I was walking - I'm pretty bad with heels at the best of times!

Devon I'm impressed with your 50 laps of the pool - no wonder you were exhausted! Were you given the all clear for GD or was it borderline? My first test was high but the second test was normal...But I have been craving sweet things lately, way more than is good for me I think!

We have a shortlist of names, its quite hard picking really, especially finding ones we both like. The first name will be Indian origin, and the middle name German/Hungarian - basically in honour of both our family backgrounds (I also have English Aussie on my Dad's side). But we want the names to be easy to pronounce and sound good in an Australian context. So its not an easy task, but we have a shortlist of 3 names for both boy and girl and will wait till bubs is born to see which suits. I know what you mean by liking the name of a friend - one of the Indian boys names I really like and is really easy for Aussies to say and remember, belongs to a fairly recent friend, so we just had to let that one go...

I hear you on the feeling of needing some mental space for bubs. I'm so looking forward to finishing work and just focussing on bubs and our preparations. And I only work 3 days a week! But we are in the midst of renovations (not where we live thank god) so I count that as an extra day of work as we usually spend Fridays looking at tiles or door knobs or lights or having a site meeting etc. Thankfully there isn't much more we need to decide ourselves and soon I can just rest!

I've seen a few poses to try and encourage bubs to turn, and my acupuncturist has a method too but she said they don't use it till later. I should try and put my bum in the air more often! Supposedly getting your hips higher does something, although my OB is not convinced. Any tips?

I think I've blabbed on for long enough... Great chatting to you both Belly Buddies! :D

Hey belly buddies!

Scooby - great that you found this thread! I can't believe you've only got 6 weeks to go! That is so exciting. But I guess a bit scary if you haven't had time to sort out the room and you've got houseguests coming! You're right, it'll all get sorted out in the end. Sorry to hear about your stack, that must have been a bit scary. I haven't been game to wear anything with heels since I first found out I was pg, I have back issues already so heels would not be a good idea. I hope your 3D scan goes well - that's pretty exciting! I'm not having one, but my ob does a quick scan at every appointment, and flicks it over to 3D at the end and tries to get us a quick face shot. Would be great to see bubs on a super duper u/s machine though.

Numa - I spoke to the receptionist to get my GD results, she said it was all clear. I asked her about the numbers and I could hear her talking to a midwife in the background, so I assume that it's all OK. But I reckon I'm close to borderline. My fasting score was 4.1, after 1 hour 9.9 and after two hours down to 6.7. The 9.9 is a bit of a worry, but I really need to talk it over with my Ob at my next appointment. I'm keeping an eye on the diet and exercise in the meantime.
Wow, you do have a difficult task on the name front! I'm impressed that you've got 3 each for boy and girl. We really need to do some more work on it.
When will your renovations be finished? I think I'd find that really stressful - so many decisions to make.

It's so cool that we're all LTTTC and due on the same day, although of course Scooby's Ava will be here a little earlier. I have also been finding it hard to keep up in the other thread, so great to have this one too. We can complain about all the third trimester aches, pains and inconveniences in here!

I'm having real problems sleeping recently, I just can't get comfortable. If I feel like this at 32 weeks, I can't imagine how I'm going to feel at 38 or 40 weeks! DH is bracing himself for a very grumpy wife in the coming weeks!

I only work four days a week, so after today I have 7 work days to go, and I have an ob appointment next Monday, so I'm going to take a half-day for that.

Nice chatting girls, and big :bellyrubs: to you both.

Devon
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Hi there lovely ladies!

I've stumbled across this thread, and very pleased to do so!! :D

We're all counting down those single weeks now, and although it feels a little surreal after going through the anxieties that happen in pregnancy after LTTTC ((especially early on), it's very exciting, isn't it?

Devon - not long to go with work! I think the excitement will definitely go up a pitch once you've got through that - you must be so looking forward to it! It will be wonderful to focus entirely on the baby for those last few weeks, and I bet you'll have a ball getting the nursery ready! I was so pleased when we finished ours - just a great feeling. I can tell you that the aches and pains I had at 32 weeks at night are really much the same as now, to be honest. The main change is the loo stops. I hope the thought of this helps you and that that don't get too much worse in the coming weeks, even though we know how worth it it all is.

Try not to worry too much about the GD stuff hun - I think you're doing fabulously with your exercise (Wow! That many laps in the pool is impressive!) but you mustn't overdo it - you need to be rested! And it sounds like you are being really careful with your diet and doing everything you would be required to do with a GD diagnosis anyway. Your levels sound pretty good to me! At my last GTT my fasting was 5.4 and at just under 2 hours the result was 11.4 - much bigger than yours! And since then, I've rarely had a result above 8 after eating, and one of the midwives thinks the GD diagnosis is a bit over the top for me even with that high 2nd GTT result (she suspects it's more just Impaired Glucose Tolerance. When did you have your last GTT test? I ask this because GTT results are less accurate after 28 weeks and then again more inaccurate after 32 weeks - I had my second one at a little after 34 weeks. I hope you have a good chat with your OB - ask her about Impaired Tolerance as well, and see what she says. Take care, hun!

Numa - Have you heard of Optimal Fetal Positioning? It's very much to do with encouraging bubs to face anterior and stay that way (i.e. back facing outwards instead of inwards) ready for birth, and a lot of it just stuff you can do day to day, rather than necessarily having to adopt uncomfortable "bum up, belly down" positions, although those are definitely also recommended if you know bubs is posterior. The main gist of it is that you need to keep you knees below your hips and keep your abdomen upright or leaning forward, and your pelvis open, otherwise your abdomen and pelvis act like a hammock, encouraging baby's heaviest bits (head and back) to swing round with gravity and face posterior. So bucket seats in cars are a no-no, as is slouching on the couch and crossing your legs! Birth balls are great to help with this, and so is sitting backwards on a chair with and leaning over the back of it and putting the car seat as upright as possible when driving, - stuff like that that you can just do without having to go all out on hands and knees. They recommend the most effective time to be doing this stuff from is 34 weeks. I've been trying to do them since then, but I tend to find it hard when tired at night and just wanting to lounge about with DH, or read a book in bed! Anyway, hope the info helps!

I think it's wonderful that you have a selection of names ready to go especially as I know how hard it is to agree on names - DH and I find it difficult to agree on more than one or two (especially boys names) so we are just going to have to see when the baby is born and hope that what we agree on feels right, or else that either one of us can be be flexible about what will suit the baby!! :lol: Like you, we won't decide until the baby is born. Hope you're doing well, and thanks again for your encouragement in my blog!

Scooby - 6 weeks! Wow! Not long now! Do you find it helpful to know the date when your little girl is coming? Sometimes I wonder whether that would help me, to know exactly when it will be - maybe I'll know after this appointment on Tuesday? I hope your 3D scan on Wednesday is wonderful and really memorable for you :) We aren't having one (can't afford it otherwise I'd jump at it!) but at the last growth scan we had the sonographer showed us the baby's face front on instead of in profile and it was almost like looking at a 3D image, only in black and white - it was amazing! Enjoy!!

I've tripped up the steps into our kitchen really heavily twice now, and it's amazing how even before you've landed, you're already thinking about landing in a way to protect the baby. Your reflexes and instincts just kick in to look after the baby, don't they? I've had a couple of bruised elbows and knees as a result, but CB didn't get knocked at all, which landing flat on your face, normally you would expect! I hope your bruises aren't too bad and that it didn't give you too much of a scare! No more heels!! Take care , hun.


We are full term on Thursday! This means 3 weeks at the most - I'm fairly sure that the OB won't let me go past our due date with the GD stuff - and maybe just over a week at the earliest. Can't actually get my head around it very well, but trying to! We have a scan on Tuesday to see how CB's growth is going in relation to the GD diagnosis and then I get to see the OB straight after to ask all the millions of questions I have about the GD diagnosis and how this is going to affect CB's birth, especially after all the BSL testing I've done, that shows that I'm really pretty ok! How big CB is now will also be relevant to what is planned also, I guess. I have been getting quite apprehensive at times about things relating to the birth, but as I mentioned in the general PALTTTC thread I am trying to go with the flow, be ready to ask lots of questions and to really use my "BRAINs" - something I was taught at my antenatal classes - Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Instincts, and what happens if you do Nothing - just like yours, Numa, and that one you suggested to me in my blog! Thanks so much for reminding me!!

As for those niggles and aches, I'm with you all! I'm generally up to use the toilet at night now anywhere between 2 and 5 times a night (depending on baby's position) as CB has started to engage (another freaky thought I can't get my head around - CB is really getting ready to make their entrance!). I find that depending where CB is lying I get either terrible sciatic pain down my legs, and/or also aching butt cheeks (like Numa!) and hips on which ever side I'm lying on. I get quite a lot of period-like cramps and some discomfort in my pubic bone now as CB gets lower in my pelvis. Braxton Hicks are getting stronger too!

I've lost all control of my mid-riff - In fact I don't think I have one anymore! DH has to haul me up at times, as I just don't have stomach muscles that function anymore! Is anyone else finding this?? :) I have trouble at times putting socks and shoes on now, and my feet seem very far away from me! CB feels *enormous* now - I don't get many big kicks now - but a great deal of squirming and pressure as limbs stretch my uterus in different directions (up under the ribs is a great one!) - it's wonderful even so, as I'm really getting used to knowing what movement is what - I can tell apart feet, knees, bum, elbows, head and it's truly a wonderful feeling to have such a clear sense of what CB is doing in there a lot of the time - makes it feel more real again.

So, despite all the niggles I've mentioned (hope I'm not putting anyone off! :redface:) and how it all seems a little surreal, I'm getting so very excited now (we have everything for CB ready to go, and my hospital bag is already stowed in the boot of the car!), and I'm pleased everything is going so well for everyone else. Hoping the niggles stay manageable and that the excitement continues to build for you all. Very much looking forward to the countdown for you all, and hearing how you're all doing in the coming weeks.

Big belly rubs,

Miss C :hug:

Welcome Miss C! So glad you found the thread, I was hoping you would :D. Thanks for a wonderful post (as usual) - hey I really like the addition of Instinct. I think I'll use my BRAIN as well! Thanks for the positioning tips, great info.

Devon and Scooby hope this week is treating you well. I know what you mean Devon about the discomfort of sleeping. I keep thinking what a crap bed I have, but that's probably not the problem!

Anyway, I'm meant to be heading off to work so this is just a quick pre-post post. Will be back....

Thanks, Numa. I've been reading - but not really had the emotional energy to form a coherent response, but I did want to let you know that I am certainly reading and following along.

I'm kinda in the same boat as MissC, in pain and completely over it and I just want this baby out! I'm really not sure I can do another 6 or so weeks of this... But I'm beginning to suspect that I have a UTI at the moment, which is probably not helping the way I feel.

Has anyone else started antenatal classes? We're doing ours over two saturdays, the first of which is this one coming... I'm a little scared, but hoping that it may ease some of my anxieties surrounding birth once we get started.

BW

Hi gals, I just wanted to say Hi and that I hope you don't completely disappear from the pregnancy after LTTTC thread < third trimester.

It's like having big sisters around to tell us what to expect and to calm our nerves as we progress thru our pregnancy. Selfish - I know. I understand that you need some space - It is v. busy over there.

Just wanted to let you know that your wisdom & experience is still needed......

I won't be disappearing from the other thread, Nixon. But as I said, I haven't had the energy to post much anywhere at all lately, and many of the things that are getting me into this state are to do with being so late in pregnancy... I may end up being a bit more vocal here as I sort through things, but I'm certainly watching the other thread with great interest.

BW

Yay! Great to see you MissC and BW, and hi Nixon - you'll be in here before you know it!

MissC - that is so reassuring to know that your night time aches and pains haven't gotten a lot worse since 32 weeks! I've been assuming it would be exponential and in a couple of weeks I'll be getting no sleep at all! I had my GTT at 30 weeks, so very interesting to know that its reliability isn't so great after 28 weeks. I suspect, like you, glucose intolerance of some degree (self-diagnosed!! Need to talk it over with Ob). Am taking it a bit easier with the exercise, I was shattered after doing so much the other day. Need to balance it all out. It's just so easy to forget how taxing pregnancy is on your body. Wow! Full term on Thursday - it's getting so close now! Best of luck for your growth scan today, and the discussion with your Ob. They do seem to get very concerned about baby's size, which I don't quite get - there are loads of babies born who are bigger than 'average', obviously. We can't all be 'average'. That's brilliant that CB is engaging already! Not that I'm an expert, but that sounds like a really good thing if they're going to want to induce you because of the GD - sounds like CB is really getting ready to enter the world! I hear you on the loo trips. I'm doing at least 3 per night now, and also the aching hips. Have to keep changing sides, which is not that easy! Oh well, it's all worth it isn't it? I'm the same with the stomach muscles. I mostly use my arms to push myself up now, so I think my arms are getting quite strong! I haven't actually tried to put on shoes for a little while - I've totally given up on shoes and am just wearing sandals - so thankful that it's summer! Bending over isn't much fun, but I've got pg clumsiness so I keep dropping things!! Looking forward to hearing about your scan and appointment, I hope you get an opportunity to ask all your questions and get some answers that you're happy with.

BW - I hope you don't have a UTI, or that you can get it all sorted out soon. They're just awful. My Ob said it's fine to take Ural if I have some discomfort (had UTI-like symptoms a bit in the first trimester, but tests were negative). DH and I had a series of three antenatal classes at the hospital, they were interesting and I did find them mostly reassuring. The most interesting part was the tour of the labour and maternity wards. We're doing another 'active birth workshop' in a couple of weeks to get more info on positioning etc. One thing I found was the the midwife presenting just gave the hospital policy on everything, but responded well to questions. Especially questions I asked at break time - she was much more open then. I asked about my hospital's high caesar rate, and she was slightly cagey infront of the class, but opened up a lot more at break time. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your classes! Not much longer to put up with the discomfort now, and hopefully things will be much easier to manage when you've finished work.

Nixon - I will make sure I keep up in the other thread too. Sometimes I feel a bit bad whingeing about things that are happening to me at this stage, when I remember all too well the horrible anxiety of the first trimester, especially for girls who are having spotting etc. But it's so nice to know that we're needed over there still! I actually can't believe that I'm one of the ones in late pregnancy now!!

Numa - I really don't think it's your bed hun! Unfortunately I think even sleeping on a bed of eiderdown would be uncomfortable at the moment!

Scooby - How're you doing today hun? Six weeks to go!! Very exciting!

Still counting down the days - after today I've got 6 more work days. Brilliant!! Baby was very active last night and this morning, which is so reassuring. I find it a bit hard to identify which parts he's moving around - I think the anterior placenta makes it a bit more difficult. But lots of squirming around in there - it's great! He's head down at least, so I try to figure it out from that.

Devon
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Hey great to hear from you BW! I know how hard it is to keep up when you are tired and trying to manage getting through work, especially when sleep isn't all that comfortable. I hope you had a good restful day yesterday and are feeling better? I wish you could just stop work now, it seems your body wishes it too :hug:.

DH and I went to our hospital antenatal workshop (all day on a Sunday) and it was great, much better than I expected. I also go to a weekly class that's a combination of stretch and relax and education, which I really love. Often the "graduating" mums come back with their bubs and tell their birth story, thankfully all of them have been great so far! Hopefully your classes will be useful and reassuring.

Nixon - oh no I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for other ladies to feel abandoned. Personally, I just can't keep up with everyone and feel quite overwhelmed in the Pregnancy after LTTTC thread, but I really do understand how you feel. Feel free to pop in here and share anything anytime - we are all on the same journey and everyone is most welcome.

Devon hope you are getting some semblance of a good nights sleep? Glad bubs is active - I know that squirming feeling, that's the most common movement I'm getting now, as well as hiccups I think (small rhythmical movements). Also glad to hear bubs is head down, what a good boy! It sounds like you are doing everything right for your borderline GD/Glucose Intolerance - some good information from Miss C on that one. It will be good to chat to the OB about it. Hey I see my OB next Monday as well!

Miss C - 37 weeks tomorrow!! Yay! I was so impressed to read you have your hospital bag in the boot already, one less thing to think abut on the day. And CB is getting engaged (hehe). Ooh I'm excited too :dance:. I loved hearing how you can tell all CBs body parts when they move - I try to feel my tummy to see what is what, but its so hard to tell. All I can fathom is: this is a hard bit and this is a soft bit. Did you/do you have another appointment this week? Hope all goes well, and looking forward to reading your update.

Scooby hope your bruises are healing. I know the tired and hormonal feeling well. I think you are having your 3D scan today - how exciting! Have fun and hope you get some great photos and video!!

Well I'm just counting down the days at work - it seems me, Devon and BW all finish after next week. Woohoo lets have a party then :birthday2:. I shouldn't whinge too much tho because I only work 3 days a week, so now I really only have 4 days work left. And each day gets easier as I complete marking and resulting. Thankfully most of our renovation chores are winding up too (that has been like an extra job). The actual renovation won't be finished until end of march next year, but thats OK, we won't be ready to move before that.

Soon I can just relax and prepare things for me and bub. Can't wait :D

:bellyrubs: to all. xx

Hi girls
how is everyone?
Nixon: no need to worry we will still be sticking are heads in, i feel abit like Devon complaining when girls are in there first 12 weeks with spotting etc. its just such a stressful time. Hope your well!
Miss C: i soooo wish i had your posting skills, you should seriously consider writing a book you articulate so well. Less than 3 weeks now, you must be soo excited and if CB is engaged hopefully you will go natural and wont need yucky inductions. Are you feeling more settled in the UK now? It so cool you can figure out which part is which i think i just have a constant bum in my ribs :lol: Totally get what you mean about falling to protect the bub and the funny part was no one was like "are you ok" it was is the baby alright (yes shes just fine thanks !!!!! shes got loads of cushioning :rolleyes:)

BW: hope you dont have a UTI not nice and not what you need take it easy ( i know easier said than done)

Devon: woohooo 6 days of work left or is it 5 now :dance: i have a quicky US at my ob too but she has a dodge v. old machine so not the best picture but still really good to see. Im a bit worried i might ruin the surprise by having the 3d done, but oh well its only a few hours away! yes sooo shouldnt have done the heels by the end of the night the SPD was excruitating, the things we do.

Numa: Love the sound of a good :birthday2: ill be in that we could have a cyber non alcoholic drink together :lol: The antenatal workshop sounds good!
Me: i havent gone to antenatal this time i went with DS, but dont really think its necessary this time espicially if i end up having a CS. probably should go though. Really really hoping i go into labour between xmas and new years as i would try to go natural but would also get the baby bonus, so upset that i miss out by a couple of weeks it would have allowed DH to have another week off work to help me through the recovery, oh well!
Still v. tired the good thing is apart from toilet breaks and achy hips im actually sleeping like a log :dance: i think there has just been so much happening. Have organised a housewarming/ chrissi/ Dh birthday party for sat nite (seemed like a good idea a month ago :o) so probably wont be on for the next few days, so take care everyone hope you have a great weekend xoxox

Hey Scooby, I like the sound of the cyber non-alcoholic drink together! Some kind of fancy mocktail would be nice :D. All the best with your party this weekend, and don't work too hard - just delegate OK!

Hope everyone else is getting through the week OK and looking forward to a good weekend. DH and I have been invited by friends to a visit in the country. Its about 4 hours drive from Melbourne near Albury Wodonga. I'm looking forward to another little trip away, as its been sooo long since we had a proper holiday together. That said, my worry-wort side also is hoping I don't go into ealry labour or anything! I already have asked about the nearest hospital & meical facilities ;). Anyway, I can't stop having a life altogether, so I'm trusting all will be fine.

xx

don't stop posting in the main thread ladies - you can probably all remember how much inspiaration you got from those ahead of you - and how much confidence you drew from them. i know it's busy in there at the moment - but we still want to keep you lot in there so that we can support you and vice verse.

Hey girls - like I said - I can totally understand. Just wanted to make sure you all still felt the love :-)

X