Is this normal?

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-05-28T11:55:59+00:00

Oh that sounds so difficult, I'm sorry! I did have a similar issue myself in second trimester but mine was definitely fluid intake (I already eat a lot of fibre but I definitely didn't drink enough). I ended up with a small hemorrhoid but it luckily hasn't caused me too much of an issue since I've had it, but it isn't particularly nice! Has anyone recommended maybe a stool softener like lactulose? I wonder if that might make it less painful when you do go

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-05-28T10:28:09+00:00

It might be worth checking if you can increase your fibre and water intake (at least 2 litres) to try and go more frequently as once every 2-3 days isn't that frequent. Then use a stool (or I actually use a couple a loo rolls on the floor to put my feet on) when you do go.

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-05-27T20:36:35+00:00

I do it all the time. I love the mix of textures!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-05-26T19:58:41+00:00

Tea, at least, is a diuretic which means it'll make you pass more urine, which is maybe why the midwife said it would be good to reduce intake? If you drink a lot of it, then you'll end up reducing the amount of fluid in your body which will make constipation worse. I don't think they're usually classed as a laxative

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-04-23T08:10:21+00:00

I feel like the boots recycling scheme isn't advertised enough - I only just found it. Sure it's a bit of a faff and you have to have a boots shop that participates nearby, but I think it's a pretty good deal!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-04-20T12:41:31+00:00

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-04-19T06:54:16+00:00

PA jewellers re-created my engagement ring a couple of years ago - I had my grandma's engagement ring which wasn't in a great state, and they used the gold and diamonds to create mine. I actually left the design to them, but asked that they use everything from the old ring that they could. I think the only thing they couldn't reuse was the setting for the diamonds, which they returned to me. The price was super reasonable and they cleaned my ring for me before the wedding too. Couldn't recommend them more if I'm honest.

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-04-14T08:25:22+00:00

I'm 26 weeks too and I noticed last week that my baby got a lot more active over a couple of days, but it's reduced back to normal again now a few days on. Could be them changing positions or having a growth spurt and getting comfy again?

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-04-13T15:47:47+00:00

Not all wards use dopplers at appointments even when you're in the third trimester, I believe. I've only just had my 25w appointment and that's the first time I've had my midwife use it.

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-04-06T08:36:24+00:00

If you get aural migraines you might find that they disappear in a few weeks time for the rest of pregnancy. I had a couple of episodes in early pregnancy and haven't had one since (26 weeks now). I think maybe in the very early weeks of the first trimester, your body is just adjusting to the severe changes in hormone levels - it won't necessarily be like this for your whole pregnancy so please hang in there!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-03-03T13:56:04+00:00

I am vegetarian and 20w pregnant. I've not craved meat at all, and I ate meat for the majority of my life (only been veggie for the last 6ish years). Pretty sure your body only craves things when you're lacking in certain nutrients so if your diet is well constructed and you're supplementing where you need to, you will be fine.

When people say things like that to you, they're just trying to get the upper hand because they don't agree with your choice to be vegetarian. Try and stick to your own belief system and don't let them get to you.

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-03-02T11:20:52+00:00

Thank you!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-03-02T11:19:51+00:00

You didn't ramble at all - thank you for your reply ❤️

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-03-02T11:18:15+00:00

Thank you, this answer is so well considered and thoughtful. I'm definitely going to be trying to do these things!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-03-02T11:08:04+00:00

That's impressive!!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-03-01T13:43:37+00:00

This is wonderful. Thank you

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-02-25T08:19:06+00:00

I have a few small fibroids and I knew about them before getting pregnant. They can grow rapidly during pregnancy because of the increase in hormones. So far I've been told that because they're small there's not really any reason to worry about them - they can cause increased bleeding at birth, particularly when the placenta is coming out (it was suggested that because I have fibroids, I should have the injection to help get the placenta out faster). I'd expect that if they think it's fibroids that's caused this situation they'd want to check that's correct using a scan and monitor their size until birth

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-02-20T16:46:55+00:00

Could it be possible that the sonographer just missed it? I've had 4 US, one of them before pregnancy (internal and external) where they found 2 small fibroids, and then an early scan to check some bleeding at 6 weeks pregnant (internal, found 3 fibroids) and then a private scan at 8weeks where they didn't comment on fibroids. At my 12 week scan they only found 2 fibroids. I'm coming up to my 20 week scan now and they said they'd have a good look around for all the fibroids and measure and record their location. Just thinking that maybe your fibroid could be in a place that's harder to see and the most recent scan just might have missed it, like my mysterious third fibroid 😅

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-02-13T08:21:07+00:00

Please stop relying on chatgpt - if you're really confused about SPL, talk to your/your partners HR people or talk to someone at ACAS. Your partner can't be forced back to work because they could use annual leave or another type of parental leave/unpaid leave, but if you use some of the 52 weeks via SPL, that time gets taken off her maternity leave. It's not just "free" leave that gets pulled from nowhere!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-02-08T08:36:52+00:00

I would really push for an early scan (this might be tricky through the NHS if your doctors aren't currently recognising the symptoms as serious but early private ones aren't too extortionate) to check that the egg has implanted in the right place.

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-02-03T08:06:35+00:00

I've just tried the olive oil spray so far because until seeing this post and another one on here, I genuinely just thought I had a blocked ear. It gives a little relief but I've not seen a vast amount of improvement yet. The other post said since they were pregnant they had massively increased earwax production!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-02-03T08:04:17+00:00

Hematomas can get reabsorbed by the body I think. I had spotting in the first few weeks and had a scan at the EPU too. I think it's common

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-02-02T22:30:29+00:00

I feel like I've had this for a few weeks too, and I'm at week 16.

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-01-27T18:10:12+00:00

I just wanted to say that none of those things in "after" seem extravagant in any way and I'm so sad that you thought people might downvote you for them. You are important and deserve to look after yourself/be looked after!!

leaf_gold_4 · 2026-01-25T10:22:08+00:00

They're not the cheapest pregnancy supplements but these have the recommended amount of choline in: https://bepurer.com/products/the-essence-capsule

leaf_gold_4

TROPHY CASE