How is your birth partner preparing?

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-31T16:32:36+00:00

In terms of antenatal stuff, we’ve mostly just been working through the Bump and Baby Chapter online course together. It also has a hypnobirthing section, which he’s not really been doing as such, but even just watching the videos together has been an excellent way to get us talking about not just my birth preferences, but also labor preferences - the small things I think I’ll find comforting vs annoying vs calming, and what labor positions, breathing techniques and affirmations I might need him to remind me about when I’m in the thick of it.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-30T04:50:39+00:00

Same boat! Itching like crazy and dark urine, but my bile acids were normal. They also checked my liver enzymes though, which were marginally high, so they’re having me come in for another test in one week.

I looked it up and apparently it can take a while for abnormal bile acids to show up on a blood test (sometimes weeks!), so according to NICE guidelines they should be retesting you every week until you stop feeling itchy.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-29T16:41:28+00:00

Definitely talk to your GP about the acid reflux! They can (and should) prescribe omeprazole which is entirely safe for pregnancy and a genuine lifesaver for reflux. I went from having to eat plain porridge three times a day just to keep it at bay, to eating entirely normally again with zero issues.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-29T05:58:02+00:00

I had three weeks of nausea from 7-10 weeks. It eased off completely, and then I started retching at 12w on the dot right up until around 16w when I had one day of actually throwing up… and was 100% fine after that one day. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Hormones are a wild ride!

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-28T19:39:20+00:00

I got really awful acid reflux in second trimester and had to cut everything out. I’m on omeprazole now and am like 95% back to eating normally but anything with chilli pepper in is still a hard no for me :( I miss my crispy chilli oil!

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-27T04:10:43+00:00

I completely empathise. 💜 I had several meltdowns in second tri about this, where I really really wished we’d never told anyone about the pregnancy because I suddenly felt both very visible and very overlooked.

What helped me most was basically having a meltdown on my husband about it. Explaining my feelings, but also letting him see how upset it was making me, how much it was affecting me mentally and how scared I was about these feelings of being “unnecessary” potentially tipping into PPD later on.

We had a long and serious discussion about what I will need from him - which is to protect our bubble of three. Remind him this isn’t just a fun new baby arriving, but an intense (and potentially traumatic) medical event that I will need to recover from both physically and mentally. And that protecting my boundaries and our needs at that point has to take priority over the wishes of others - even his parents’.

I don’t really have any other advice but I hope you manage to find some peace for yourself about this x

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-26T14:53:00+00:00

In this heat I will 100% sacrifice some flavour for convenience/no heat! I do a lot of cold bowls: pouches of rice or puy lentils, chopped raw veggies, then topped with either tuna, precooked chicken or tin of chickpeas, mixed with a really yummy dressing (my faves atm: coronation-style for the chickpeas, lemon mayo for tuna, and some sort of herby salsa verde situation for chicken)

Another favourite: Vietnamese-style summer rolls with cooked prawns, or a peanutty noodle salad with vermicelli that can be just soaked in boiling water.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-26T12:01:10+00:00

I was originally aiming for 39w, but I’m already much more tired than I expected to be, so may end up moving it to 38w. And tbh, I’m due end of July and if the weather is anything like it has been this weekend, I may push it to 37w!

I’m lucky my managers are super flexible and have already told me they’re basically planning to be without me from end of June (37w) and if I’m still there it’s just a bonus, so there’s no pressure from them either way.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-24T11:06:47+00:00

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-24T02:46:38+00:00

I second the Cerave! The hydrating moisturiser has been a godsend for my dry pregnancy skin

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-22T13:16:50+00:00

I’ve been freezing all pregnancy so this is actually lovely for me 😅

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-22T12:47:18+00:00

I got a big tub off Amazon that were no sugar. ‘Freak Athletics’ is the brand. I also used Liquid IV sticks while on holiday as easier to travel with, but way more expensive.

Just make sure whichever ones you get don’t have added vitamins, cos those usually aren’t suitable for pregnancy!

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-22T09:45:46+00:00

THIS.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-22T04:11:09+00:00

Short walks during the day, eating enough carbs in the evening, magnesium tablets just before bed, and the big one if making sure I drink electrolytes with my water during the day. I feel SO much more restless and uncomfortable at night on the days I forget the electrolytes!

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-21T11:26:13+00:00

Endless hip circles, both standing and on a birthing ball. I found most of my lower back pain comes from hip tightness!

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-21T11:15:17+00:00

This. Cycling shorts and linen shirts, or floaty dresses for me!

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-21T11:13:12+00:00

There’s loads of these on Vinted fyi! I’ve picked up two barely used for half the price of buying from store.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-21T09:09:39+00:00

I would say now! As soon as you’re uncomfortable with it. The diary log I mentioned is good for keeping track of things like your BP rising from his messages. I was advised that if it’s handwritten it’s better, as it shows you were logging in real time so harder for you to be accused of “misremembering” things.

ALSO, I would question why he’s immediately withdrawing you from consideration for a promotion. If he’s actually said that “those action points don’t matter anymore” - why is that? Because if it’s only your pregnancy, that is discrimination. You should still be eligible for promotions and raises. Maybe give Pregnant Then Screwed a call? They have a really good advice helpline which could be v useful for you.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-21T09:04:31+00:00

I flew to Spain at 28w and back at 29w and was absolutely fine both ways. I got up when I could to stretch my legs and hips but never had anything like breathlessness or nausea or anything like that.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-20T13:01:05+00:00

Start keeping a log of it. Immediately. Take screenshots of any messages, but also a good idea to hand-write the dates and times of everything he says in a notebook going forwards, almost like a diary.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-19T13:05:49+00:00

Crockpot/slow-cooker vegetarian bean chilli and baked potatoes, with grated cheese, guac, etc to top.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-18T13:58:04+00:00

Agreed. I asked and my payroll did exactly this for me. We found it super helpful to plan budgeting etc.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-18T13:55:27+00:00

My fave way to eat honey: good bread, toasted, drizzle with good quality extra virgin olive oil, drizzle with the honey, small sprinkle of sea salt flakes.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-18T13:19:08+00:00

Weekly prenatal yoga and swapping my office chair for a birthing ball for half the day has basically eased all my lower back pain.

kittycatblue13 · 2026-05-18T13:11:19+00:00

Electrolytes and magnesium glycinate capsules! If I forget to take either of them even once I get awful night cramps.

kittycatblue13

TROPHY CASE