**March 2018 Mummies - Tri 2**

[Merry]

Had my whooping cough jab this morning, so far not even a sore arm so hoping that continues! Also, after several days of constant movement baby has now gone quiet... very occasional shifting around but no big kicks since yesterday. Apparently it's common, assume s/he has just got worn out - hoping they wake up again soon, I was liking the bigger movements!

Just going into the garden to plant some spring bulbs - I suddenly realised that by the time they are flowering, baby will be here! How weird is that?!

 

[Summertime]

Hi Ladies how is everyone, there must be some more 20 week scans this week??

I'm 19+4 today, my scan is next Wednesday when I'll be 20+4. Really looking forward to checking in on the baby, I was feeling movement starting but stopped last couple of days. I really can't remember what the movement was like with my first. Hopefully its nothing to worry about.

Just sorting my maternity leave plan out - decided going to go down to 3 days a week after Christmas and then work until 36 weeks. I'm using my annual leave days up 2 days a week in January so only an actual reduction in February for 6 days total. Just checking it's not going to affect my maternity pay - I don't think it will as from what I understand the 25th week is the qualfying week that determines maternity pay.

its such a nice feeling knowing almost at the half way point

 

[Loveandpeace]

Hey ST,

Ah bet you cant wait for your scan!
Hope everyone is keeping well around this half way mark . Hopefully we get to see more 20 week scan pictures. Did anyone do anything fun with their bump for Halloween?

I still have my maternity leave to figure out. My annual leave runs from Jan-Dec. I have a good bit to use between now and Dec which is nice to a lot of short weeks in work and almost 2 weeks off at Christmas. I will want to keep a lot of my leave for after maternity leave ends so just need to figure out what to use beforehand, but I aim to go off around the 38 week mark or so. If I am finding it tough I can use leave to do 3/4 day weeks. Although I have a desk job so its not physically demanding.

I am just gone 23 weeks, can't believe it! It really is true when they said the second trimester goes in quickly. Next week the baby will be viable! Feeling pretty good all round, just the occasional feeling of being light headed. I started swimming yesterday and found that massively helps with any joint aches.

Some days I feel more movement than others. Although I think the days where I am busy and moving around myself much more is when I tend not to feel or be aware of it as much.

Our house is upside down, new bathroom going in next week then nee dot get whole house painted before Christmas! Fed up, i just want it all done and sitting ready so I can get the spare room nursery-ready. So much to do and sort out what we still need to get for the baby. I am going to try holding off getting most things until the January sales though.

xx

 

[Charlotte9]

Hey girls

Im 22+1 today. Baby moves are different everyday. Some days he is very active other days a bit calm. Depending what I eat and what I do.
I'm having meeting with HR lady this Friday to discuss my maternity leave.
I've saved up some holidays and can take all Fridays off until Christmas. We are allowed to carry over 5 days to the next year. But not more.

Have you looked at prams yet girls?

xx

 

[Loveandpeace]

Same here Charlotte with movement.

My sister has gave us a pram she only used twice with her youngest. She preferred her previous pram and barely used this one. I cant remember the make or model of it as its in storage at my in-laws. I do know its a three in one - car seat, buggy and pram and comes with a changing bag.
My friend also has a pram she wants to give us which was barely used so we are going to have that one too to chose from.
Thats why I havent really looked much into prams, although did check out some Cosatto ones which were beautiful. They are all so expensive though! x

 

[Ljd401]

Hello girls,
Am so so sorry about the lack of communication from me. We've been having a very very stressful time. My father in law has Alzheimer's and things have been extremely difficult with him. Things will only get worse too which worries me with having such a young family. We have the added stress of his carer going away all over Christmas too so need to find cover which isn't easy. We were quoted £1800 for 4 days!! Madness. It's taking its toll on my husband and I and we've been very short with one another. Such a sad situation.
Had 20 week scan a week on Monday which went well and we stayed team yellow although I'm sure sonographer said "his" face. We shall see. I have my consultant appointment on 9th November to discuss an elective section. Still not sure which route to take.
Baby now kicks my tummy that my husband can feel which is lovely. Been panicking a bit today though because last night I had a high temperature and was all achey, same again today, and baby hasn't moved as much. Still the odd few kicks but not like normal. Wondering if it's because I'm ill. Am having to take paracetamol to keep my temp down. Hope you girls are all well xx

 

[Merry]

Hi all, busy on here today!

Lid - so sorry to hear you're having a rubbish time at the moment. Alzheimer's is a horrible disease, I can't imagine having to watch someone go through that. Really hope you can find someone to sort out the Christmas situation. Our sonographer also slipped up and said 'he', but she had already said that even if we'd wanted to find out we'd have struggled as baby was being uncooperative, so thinking it was a genuine slip of the tongue!

Charlotte, loveandpeace - we bought the Cosatto giggle 2 system from mothercare. It's a carrycot, pushchair and car seat and was about £370 - thought that was a pretty good deal although I'm sure there are cheaper ones out there. I liked the 4 year guarantee on it, that made a big difference for us as hopefully we can use it for that time and with any future babies!

I'm getting kicked pretty fiercely again today - I felt what I'm fairly certain was a foot pressing into my hand yesterday which was weird, in a good way

 

[Charlotte9]

Ljd, hope your family gets some help. £1800 is too much for 4 days care. Hope you are not too stressed out.

Loveandpeace, aw its so nice to get some baby stuff already especially when it comes from your sister.

Merry, Cossatto prams look very happy and colourful, great designs.

I think I will go with baby jogger. Cause I like to walk a lot on the beach and woods. My colleague has the same pram and she said it's comfortable to push around.

xx

 

[Loopylou1980]

I`am thinking sbout going for this http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6530859

Ive been really unwell for almost a week & a half theres something going around, It started with a cold then turned into a cough & then this morning i was so sick after a really bad night i`am hoping that i`am over the worst of it now X

 

[thursday]

Hello.
I am on the second trimester too. My baby's due date is the 27th March. Could you add me please?

 

[lozza]

Hi ladies,
I hope you are all doing well. I had my scan on Monday, all was good, but I need to back on Monday for a final check as baby wasn’t in the right position!
I also found out I have group b strep. I’m over the shock and am so glad that they found out no so I can get the right care during labour.
My baby’s movements come and go, but am loving feeling the movements.

 

[Summertime]

Argh, just wrote a long reply but didn't post, so brief version below!

Glad everyone doing well, sorry to hear about your Father in Law LJD, hope you manage to get something sorted so you can relax.

20 week scan over here, can't wait to check in on the baby - will post an update after the scan on Wednesday - not going to bother getting the pics as we already have loads of great pics from our private scan had @ 11 weeks.

Starting pregnancy yoga tonight, is anyone else doing antenatal exercise classes? Can't remember if I've already wrote about this but with my son I just sat on sofa and atea pork pies from 8 weeks to delivery and out on 6 stone so making an effort to keep my actvitity levels up this time around.

The other thing on my to do list this week after the scan is to book in for HNS antenatal workshops - just planning to go to the water birth and feeding one I think. Whats everyone else doing? We did NCT first time around and made a couple of really good friends but not sure if they do them for 2nd time parents but anyway don't think we want to commit to that many evenings of it and want to try and meet new mums from the village I live in this time.

xx

 

[Loveandpeace]

Welcome Thursday! Is this your first baby?
LJD that sounds really stressful for you, hope you manage to get some affordable help to take the pressure off and are feeling better.
Merry thats a really good deal on a Cosatto pram!
Loopylou hope you're feeling better as well.

Hi ST! Do you have to pay for your pics at the 20 week scan? Look forward to update .
I would have practised yoga before anyway, but Ive been doing pregnancy yoga once a week since about 16 weeks. I find it really helpful, not only for preparation for labour, but the positions and movements help for those aches and pains and its just nice to stretch out, relax and meet other Mums to be as well.
Just last week I started swimming too, feeling weightlessness in the water is lovely!
I also usually walk home from work which is 3 miles. Ive started to get the bus more often but try to walk two or three times a week to keep fitness levels up like you say. My a** is getting to be the size of Africa already lol.

Here in N Ireland they are piloting a new programme for first time parents called 'Getting Ready for Baby' which combines 6 midwife appointments with antenatal classes and workshops over a 3 hour period, covering a range of topics. I have signed up for it and only had one so far at 16 weeks so there are another 5 to go (one at 25,28,30,34 and 36 weeks). I find it really good and again its nice to meet other first time Mums & Dads.

I am 24 weeks today!! I think this is when the baby is viable?

 

[Charlotte9]

Hey girls

How do I get any info about antenatal classes please?

My normal tights don't fit me anymore. They are so tight. I bought a pair from H&M. Did not like them. They don't stretch over the bump. They slide down and are too tight.

Then I went to Mothercare and bought a pair of tights there. They go completely over the bump. So comfortable! Very nice.

 

[Loveandpeace]

Hi Charlotte,

Ask your midwife about antenatal classes provided by your trust region that you and your hubby can go to. I thought they are automatically provided?

I agree about the tights from H & M, they keep falling down and just not comfortable. I must invest in some Mothercare ones.

 

[Summertime]

Yes 24 weeks is classed as a viable pregnancy! We have to pay for scan pics, didn't have my pay with my son 4 years ago so must have been a new thing since then.

I thought it was just me with H&M tights thought I may have got the wrong size, I have some form Mothercare that are much better and also the leggings from there fit well.

Really anxious about my scan tomorrow, had a nightmare and no sleep then sick this morning so at my desk looking like a bit of a zombie. The fatigue seems to be back the last couple of week - I guess its because we've been really busy at weekends and working long hours in the week so not a lot of chill out time.

Off to Whitby this coming weekend, will be nice when we are there but a 4 hour drive and having to pack the car etc. Its for an elderly relatives birthday so feel like we need to make the effort as shes too frail to travel now and hasn't seen my son since last year. Looking forward to walking along the sea front and eating chips!

Complicated system here with antenatal - get allocated random dates for classes and can't gaurantee weekends or evenings so most likely to be in the day - checked company policy and looks like classes aren't included in time off for antenatal care.

Got my maternity leave plan agreed - going to be reducing to 3 days a week after Christmas then finishing on February the 16th @35 weeks. With being exhausted helps to have an end date agreed to give me a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[Charlotte9]

Loveandpeace, wow you are already 24 weeks. I'm only one week behind you. 23 weeks today.

Summertime, I had meeting with HR and the lady asked me approximate date ID like to go on maternity leave. It's not easy to choose the date. Our policy allows to attend all appointments and classes. Even take breaks when needed. I work in the office so I just sit all day and go for a walk lunchtime.

Has anyone tried Mothercare jeggings?

xx

 

[Merry]

Hello.
I am on the second trimester too. My baby's due date is the 27th March. Could you add me please?

Welcome and done!

 

[Merry]

Mothercare tights are definitely the best. They are pricier but to be fair they are so comfy...I'm going to find it hard to go back to normal tights

Loveandpeace - I'm 24 weeks too, feels like a big step somehow! I feel like I'm huge suddenly - before half term everyone at school was telling me I didn't look anywhere near as far along as I was, but ten days later they're suddenly looking at me like I'm lying about my due date The kids have kept asking me whether it's really February that I'm leaving instead of Christmas - think some of them are worried I'm going to have the baby in front of them!

Mum bought us a Moses basket at the weekend, don't think there's anything else we actually need before baby arrives... not used to being this organised!

 

[VictoriaLisa]

Hey Loveandpeace, I am also from N Ireland, and I am also on the Getting Ready for Baby programme! I have also had one class so far. I am 20 weeks pregnant so I am a bit behind you!

Had our 20 week scan last week and found out we are having a baby boy which is so exciting! Everything was looking great with baby, we don't have to pay for scan photos, so we got about 5 really clear photos which is so lovely to have, I can't stop looking at them hehe! But I have a low placenta so have to go back for another scan at week 34 to hopefully see that it has moved! Also was told my iron levels were a bit on the low side and I was recommended to take SPATONE LIQUID IRON, which I just add to my fruit juice twice daily.

All our family were just dying to know what the gender was so we had a 'gender reveal' party which was just a bit of fun and a great excuse to get both sides of the family and friends together! Funny enough the majority thought we would be having a boy!

Hope everyone is keeping well!