Hi ladies. A few little questions if you'll indulge me

[buddabun]

I know this has probably been done before but I just wanted to tap into your experiences and ask a few things that have been playing on my mind.

I am well aware I have to stop doing a lot of things, mainly eating certain foods etc, but what about hot baths? I've suspected pregnancy for a few days now and have not had them hot enough to sweat in but I personally don't see the point of a bath unless it's fairly warm. What is your opinion? Can it soften the cervix as I remember reading something somewhere (horror stories no doubt) that hot baths can cause m/c. I just want to be super careful.

Also, what sort of exercise are you all doing? Before Christmas (and last week) I went every morning to a step/body pump class but this week I've been just too tired. I went on Tues and the A/C doesn't work well and I nearly melted! What is safe to do? I don't want to be lifting weights, doing circuits or jumping up and down but I don't want to stop completely.

Also, I have had 2 m/cs before - the first I was in hospital for 'observation'. It was a nightmare and I was badly treated (I wont go into it) so the second pregnancy I said I wouldn't see the doc until 6 weeks when there was potentially something to see on a trans-vaginal ultrasound. I miscarried before I got that far and just went to the doc to put it on my notes. This time is different. I am in tomorrow and want blood hCG done as often as possible and a scan as soon as they can. What else can I expect? When is the average that you would see the IUGS/fetal pole? Bear in mind I think I have a LP of about 11 days (although not sure as just going by CM and not temps) that it might well be younger than the 4 weeks my ticker says. What can I expect? Or rather, what could I expect if I were in the UK (I am in Brunei for 2 more years).

That's about it really. Do you have any advice on how to keep myself healthy for this baby. I'm sure the last 2 m/cs weren't anything to do wtih me but I'm determined to keep this bean and want to do everything I can for it already

Thanks for your time, sorry for the huge post . Looking forward to reading any replies

 

[Chopsie]

I can't answer all of your questions, but I do know two things - firstly, a warm bath won't do any harm at all. 37C is the recommended max temp, so invest in a thermometer if you're worried. I've had a bath every day of my pregnancy so far, and like you, I don't see the point in having them unless they're warm! I think 37C would be uncomfortably hot anyway.

Secondly, they don't scan before 6 weeks, as it really is impossible to see anything at that stage, so you probably won't be offered a scan any earlier than previously.

As for exercise, I would say that if it feels too much, don't do it, but I think brisk walking is excellent gentle exercise in the first tri, and great for alleviating backache too.

I know it must be hard after two m/c, but I really hope you can relax and enjoy your pregnancy

 

[KikoDinoGirl]

Also, what sort of exercise are you all doing? Before Christmas (and last week) I went every morning to a step/body pump class but this week I've been just too tired. I went on Tues and the A/C doesn't work well and I nearly melted! What is safe to do? I don't want to be lifting weights, doing circuits or jumping up and down but I don't want to stop completely.

I am going swimming a few times a week, the gym and martial arts. The general recommendation is that you continue what you were doing before although you should be careful of contact sports (i.e. martial arts, hockey etc). Another consideration is that your core temperature regulates your babies, so you should try not to overheat too much and drink plenty of water. I have also found that I get hotter at that type of thing.

In terms of the gym, I am continuing to lift weights, but have decreased the weight and increased the repetition to it's not as streneous. I am continue to use the treadmill but found that jogging pushed my heart rate up too much - you should keep an eye on that as well. I am also using the stationary cycle at the gym. I found it helpful to speak to a trainer there who gave me an individual plan.

I am also planning to pick up yoga and pilates again.

In terms of miscarriage, it doesn't sound like you did anything to prevent it. I have had a miscarriage myself - I wasn't drinking/smoking etc but it still happened. Listen to your body if you are too tired, then definately think about cutting down, but keeping healthy is healthy for little baby too xxx

Lots of questions, I hope they are answered for you soon.

 

[EllieBelle]

I cant answer all your questions, but firstly wanted to say congrats on your BFP and really hope this is 3rd time lucky for you - you seem in great spirits which is fantastic

I also love hot baths..........really hot, but in the first 12 weeks did reduce the temperature significantly. In the 2nd Tri they went a little warmer, and now they are almost (but not quite) as hot as they used to be - my Midwife did tell me off the other day when I mentioned hot baths, and they do recommend keeping the temperature down to body temperature. Its to do with the amniotic fluid heating up...........as baby grows it can do much less damage, but I wouldnt risk it early on - I hated my cold baths.........but still prefered bathing to showers!

I have carried on exercising through, but mainly a lot of walking - I have a Border Collie who has still needed her walks despite my growing size - until I hit about 32 weeks I was still walking her 2-3 miles a day (a good hours walk), and now can still manage a mile a day, although its tough......as the weeks go on let your body tell you what it can and cant do!!

Wishing you a happy & healthy 9 months......

 

[Nicky_Jones]

On the same theme, how high should you let you heart rate go while exercising. I was trying to keep mine under 150 the other day, is that OK? Can I go higher or should it be lower than this?

I remember the reading I did when I was PG with Ellie was that people who exercised when the were PG tended to have bigger babies.

Thanks

 

[Frog99]

Congrats and fingers crossed for thrid time lucky.
Here's my input:

1) Baths - I have hot baths about twice a week and I only like them if they're HOT (i.e. make my skin go red). I was having hot baths before I found out I was pregnant and have continued to do so - I'm now 12wks.
2) Exercise - I asked my doctor about exercise and he said if you did exercise before you found out you were pregnant it's fine to continue but avoid contact sports. I only really walk the dogs and use the Wii Fit (mainly to play the games) but I've found even at 12weeks I can't do a great deal without getting hot and really tired. So I've halved the dog walks and stop playing on the Wii when I start to feel tired (I can't do the jogging at all without getting really bad stitches in my stomach). I have found that the dog walk actually reduces my sick feelings - think it's to do with the fresh air.
3) Scans - you can only see a heartbeat from about 6wks so don't think you can have a scan before then to check viability (i hate that word!)

 

[Jaded Diamond]

I've had early scans at around 5 weeks and all you can really see is a fetal pole and yolk sac.
This time round the consultant made me wait as long as i possibly could so they could see more, and i managed to wait until 6w6d. Seeing the heartbeat made it worth waiting that extra week.
xx

 

[buddabun]

Thanks so much for your wishes and answers guys!

I would love to be walking places but it's just too darn hot here. I will speak to my step class teacher and tell her (she is from a different social circle from me so is unlikely to tell anyone), see what she recommends but I was just planning to walk on the treadmill or use the bikes/cross trainer for a while. The day before my BFP I did her class and, even when I'd reduced my normal weights, it was still killing my back and I as uncomfortable doing situps and straining that hard I know it's silly, it's not like I'm going to squeeze the baby out but still, I don't want to risk anything.

Baths, that's excellent news. I'd read that anything too hot can interfere with development but I will keep them a bit cooler now.

As for the heartrate, I think you're supposed to go no higher than 70% of your max, Nicky?

I am going to the docs today to be referred. When I went to the hospital the first time with bleeding, they took my blood (although didn't test for hCG levels... That's how incompetent they are here) and have be an internal scan. Of course found nothing. But I was only about 4w2d then... She said something about 5w possibly being able to see the IUGS... I will ask today, I just want confirmation that it's actually implanted. If necessary I will go back and pay for a heartbeat confirmation scan (they'll do anything for cash here ) if they don't want to do another. I just need reassurance!

Thanks again for all your help ladies. I know it's probably been done 1000x before but I'm still very nervous about this pregnancy. When people say have a 'happy and healthy 9 months' it sort of doesn't register as 9 months seems so far away!