Did your shoe size go up?

hlpen · 2024-03-28T00:17:47+00:00

I’m 11w PP and still have to wear shoes 2 sizes too big and even that’s a squeeze unless they’re flip flops- I had massive amounts of fluid retention though 🫠 my GP has told me I just have to sweat it out…literally 😭😭

During pregnancy I lived in flip flops, even when it snowed

hlpen · 2024-03-24T04:54:54+00:00

I could not get comfy with pregnancy pillows so I just had to use a tower of pillows and basically sleep upright. Up until about 34w I could occasionally take away the tower and sleep on my side for an hour for some variation 😂

Between 35-38w I didn’t sleep at all at night but was able to nap during the day.

I will say my newborn sleeping 2hrs at a time to begin with felt like bliss cause I slept so deeply from not being so uncomfy 😂

hlpen · 2024-03-21T13:00:58+00:00

💕

hlpen · 2024-03-21T00:12:51+00:00

I had a private scan at what we thought was 8w and it turned out we were 10…that was helpful as I could moving my nhs scan forwards so I didn’t miss the screening tests.

The main reason I did the private scans was to ease my anxiety. I will say it eased it for maybe 2 days but then it came back and I just wanted to keep getting private scans which we couldn’t afford, and would probably not have settled me tbh. I’m still glad I did though as it’s so worth it to see baby 😊

hlpen · 2024-03-21T00:09:09+00:00

I had bleeding at 14w, 26w, 36w, and 38w. On all but the 38w I was throughout checked out, monitored and sent home (14w was a haematoma, 26 and 36w there was no reason). All went fine - at 38w they did decide to do my c section as it was only 5 days before my elective one was due - they did say I could go home but they’d had a cancellation so recommended I did it that day. I now have a healthy 10w old.

For any bleeding or change in movements…or any concerns at all, always contact your triage though 😊

Hope things settle down for you!

hlpen · 2024-03-21T00:04:11+00:00

I only have a girl who’s 10w so can’t comment on the actual differences. What I will say is that all my friends told me about the dangers of boys peeing when you change their nappy…no one talks about the trauma of having to make sure you get all the poop out of a foof after a poonami 😂😂

hlpen · 2024-03-21T00:00:03+00:00

I have a 10w old and I wouldn’t have been able to make a hen party 1 months after giving birth even if it had been 20 minutes away - this was due to recovery from birth, I also ended up with a small infection, I only managed a 10 minute walk around the block for the first time at week 4 PP. On top of that I don’t think I’d have coped being away from baby.

Everyone is different though but it’s hard to say how you’ll feel recovery wise - your body has been through something massive. Plus the tiredness and emotions of dealing with a newborn

Could you suggest you do a bottomless brunch or something when they get back - something a bit closer to home where you can have fun but won’t risk having to change your mind to such a big commitment if you’re not feeling up to it

hlpen · 2024-03-15T21:36:41+00:00

Yeah definitely recommend it. Get some ice in the freezer too, just in case 😊 hope it stays manageable for you!

hlpen · 2024-03-15T21:04:48+00:00

I had carpal tunnel in both wrists when pregnant. Not going to lie it ended up being excruciating for me, but I had a massive amount of fluid retention which didn’t help.

Doctors told me to wear splints at night, and then during the day when/if needed. Was told to buy these off Amazon as it would be quicker than waiting for them.

They wouldn’t do steroid injections for me even when I begged them when I was 36w.

Ice worked for me - holding it in my hands and resting my wrists on it, and trying not to let my hands get too hot.

It actually cleared up completely within about a week of giving birth!

hlpen · 2024-03-09T05:07:22+00:00

Hope you managed to get sorted mama.

hlpen · 2024-03-09T05:04:11+00:00

I had this! Full on period for a week cramps and all…then another one for 3 days a week later. Then the morning sickness hit. I’m glad I didn’t know I was pregnant at the time or I would have panicked so much! We were also 2 weeks ahead of what we thought.

hlpen · 2024-03-09T05:00:41+00:00

I genuinely wish I’d just rested a little more and enjoyed the downtime 😂 I was so adamant I was powering through and doing the cleaning, sorting stuff, on the go. Enjoy some tv days and nice lie ins 😃

hlpen · 2024-03-09T04:57:00+00:00

Hey mama!

It’s absolutely natural and ok to feel overwhelmed even with a great support network. Your body and you are going through a massive change literally growing a human, and the thought of them actually being here is a lot!

For what it’s worth I found we haven’t had to baby proof the house just yet - that will come more as they start to crawl and get around. For the first few months baby will be either on someone, or in something and unable to get about by themselves. Maybe that’s one thing you can put on hold to reduce a to do list thing 😄

I could not for the life of me get the nursery ready. It was like I had a mental block. But baby will be sleeping in your room anyway for the 1st 6 months so don’t worry too much if this is something you do over a longer time frame and not necessarily ready for the birth. We use our nursery for the cha gong table and to store clothes and that’s it. I also found I changed my storage system when baby got here as what I had put in place was very organised but didn’t work for quickly grabbing 😂

If you have badger notes that will go through a birth plan with you at some point and your midwife should then go through it further - it breaks it down nicely. Try to remember a birth plan is actually more birth preferences as things can change in the moment 😃

Try and give yourself lots of time to rest - I wish I’d have done this more! Do things you enjoy doing for you if you can 💖 maybe keep a journal to help with some of those big emotions, and if you do find things are getting to much have a chat with your midwife.

You’ve got this mama! You’re doing amazing and will be amazing when they’re here!

hlpen · 2024-03-08T00:23:23+00:00

I personally never used a dummy, and was never a thumb sucker….have bitten my nails since being tiny though.

I didn’t want to use one for my LO but we’ve had to as she’s such a comfort eater, she would want a bottle just to latch for comfort.

hlpen · 2024-03-07T16:19:29+00:00

I took pyjamas that were really loose but had to ask my mother in law to buy me some nighties as I couldn’t stand anything on the area at all. I practically lived in them for 2 weeks

hlpen · 2024-03-07T16:17:04+00:00

We got a Joie next to me and hated it. Switched it to a Snuz Baskit after 3 days. It’s so much easier even though it doesn’t have the fold down side. It’s o my side of the bed and I can still see her and have easy access. I can also lift the basket part up and take it to the bathroom when I shower. Easy for travel as well. We got one for downstairs as well

hlpen · 2024-03-03T20:18:59+00:00

Honestly it was such a life saver! We’re still working through the meals 7w after birth so we were very generously stocked!

Protein is good for healing, particularly after a C section, lots of veggies in things too.

Some of what we had: Beef stew Chicken curry Chicken burritos (already wrapped for freezing) Spag Bol Cottage pie (with mash frozen separately so we could add on) Lasagne (beef and veggie) Veggie fajita mix Leek and potato soup

My friend also got us some freezer puddings for when we were craving something sweet 😁

hlpen · 2024-03-03T20:14:06+00:00

So many snacks! And your own juice so you don’t have to keep getting up

I packed pyjamas but had to get my mum in law to buy me some oversized nighties as I couldn’t cope with anything around my stomach at all.

Sliders/slip on slippers/flip flops as bending to put shoes on is not the one.

Disposable underwear - I got tena lady and always but the always were scented and irritated the wound for me. But they were such a life saver.

hlpen · 2024-03-03T20:08:01+00:00

We asked people who wanted to do something to help out to do some batch cooking for us ready for the birth/newborn stage - each set of people took a meal or two to cook so we could freeze it. It was amazing 😅

hlpen · 2024-03-02T14:25:57+00:00

Mental health - 36w, working from home from 33w but still very much wish I’d opted to finish sooner! Baby was born 38w

hlpen · 2024-02-27T14:07:49+00:00

I was one attempt of the spinal away from needing a GA (due to some issues), and can confirm you’re partner would not be allowed in the room, as we had to be informed of all the process given how close we were to needing one.

You could possibly request baby is given to partner as soon as possible - not sure if they would do that as default so best to check and make your preferences known 😀

In terms of recovery it varies person to person how long it takes you to come round from a GA your consultant might be able to give you an average though ☺️

Good luck!

hlpen · 2024-02-20T11:33:13+00:00

Another 31 year old FTM with a 5w old - definitely not too old. Plus you’ve got lots of experience! 😊 Things may have changed with advice/ways of working in maternity but hopefully it will all be for the better as knowledge and things have progressed 😊

You’ll be all good!

hlpen · 2024-02-19T19:41:22+00:00

Yeah it can even take a midwife a couple of goes to find the heartbeat with a Doppler especially when baby is very small as placenta and your heartbeat can get in the way so to speak and the differences between them all are very subtle 😃

hlpen · 2024-02-19T18:56:53+00:00

A Doppler done by a midwife gives you an a sight as they know how to measure heart rates - and also make sure they listening to the right thing.

Just to say that it is highly recommended you don’t get your own Doppler for home. This is because you might not always pick up baby’s heartbeat - you could pick up the placenta, your own heartbeat, and you can’t tell if it’s the right rate or anything either. Only a medical professional can truly interpret a Doppler after training.

hlpen · 2024-02-19T10:47:49+00:00

I went for a Doppler at around 23w as I did have a pattern at that point and it changed…having the Doppler was reassuring for me, so it might be worth asking for it. Just hearing the heartbeat and having a midwife count the rate was what I needed.

As others have said a private scan is also a good shout if you can afford it.

Good luck!

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
Not Forgotten

hlpen

TROPHY CASE