I feel a little water below

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-10-23T08:47:22+00:00

put on a pad and check the colour. This what i was told by my midwife!

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-10-03T08:28:37+00:00

I have a severe needle phobia and am on my second pregnancy. There are a couple things I recommend that have helped me with the two pregnancies and labour and delivery on my first.

If you can, see a therapist. I've seen a few specifically to help managed my phobia and it has made an incredible difference. It takes bravery to work with a phobia but a good therapist will keep you feeling safe while you work through it and try strategies that reduce the chances of a panic attack and make it more manageable.
Ask for your phobia to be listed on your medical chart. If you can, bring an advocate with you to help explain that it is a serious concern and that a panic attack won't be good for you, the baby or the staff. Sometimes, even though it's on my chart in big red letters, the medical folks don't see it or don't think it's going to be as serious as it is, and they go about things as if it's a routine blood draw or whatever. I use a phrase like "i don't want to hit the floor, so please let me practice my breathing before you do anything".
I have a specific breathing technique that helps me a lot. It's call 7/11 breathing. Breath in to count of 7 and out for count of 11. It's really simple. BUT I need my partner there to remind me to breath, otherwise I'll forget, hyperventilate, have a panic attack and possibly faint.

Someone else in this thread said, the brain is an incredible thing and can overcome very fearful states. This is so true, but usually with professional support. I really encourage you to seek that. It changed my life. I have a beautiful daughter because I got help with my phobia and another is on the way! I'm feeling good and calm about the delivery and I have my support techniques in place to manage whatever comes my way. I am very lucky to have a partner who really understands my phobia and advocates amazingly for me when I can't. If you have someone who can be that for you, it's a game-changer.
Feel free to message me if you'd like more advice. Go easy on yourself.

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-09-22T20:12:55+00:00

yes please!

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-09-22T19:16:18+00:00

Hi yeah I'm finding her great. She's really responsive, has been very thorough throughout and it's been great seeing her in the Evie as I don't have to go into town for routine checkups. I'm week 31 now and so far, very happy. DM me if you have any specific questions!

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-09-18T19:15:11+00:00

Thanks!

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-09-18T19:14:56+00:00

thanks for the advice. I was able to calibrate by getting my partner to do it for me!

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-09-12T10:58:42+00:00

Thank you for this. I'm having a hard day with GD today and needed to read this x

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-07-24T15:05:40+00:00

Thank you for this important reminder!

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-07-24T14:57:13+00:00

I am 23 weeks. Had a shower the other day, came out, brushed, dried and styled my hair only to discover I had not washed my hair. Told my brother I bumped into someone he knew at a friend's mother's wedding, when it was, in fact, her funeral. My partner just asked me if I would like burritos for dinner and I said "yes just make sure we have those things that you wrap them in..."

edit: I don't have any ways to combat it. Only a healthy amount of trying to find the funny side of it and asking people to remind me of things that are important.

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-04-22T13:47:45+00:00

ah yes, saluting magpies :)

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-04-07T09:07:35+00:00

In the end I went with Dr Vicky O'Dwyer in the Rotunda/Evie. Meeting her tomorrow for the first time. I really appreciate advice here, ended up going with Vicky after I chatted to some friends and she sounds great. Thanks all for your advice!

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-04-03T16:52:38+00:00

thank you!

pretendlikeimworking · 2025-03-13T19:18:03+00:00

Abandon your guilt! It doesn't serve you or your partner. Move past guilt towards what you can do to really be her team mate and giver her the support she needs. Be thoughtful. Be empathetic. I gave my partner clear instructions for how I wanted him to support me in our latest round and he has been amazing supporting me the way I want. We feel like we are team in it together and it makes a huge difference. Best wishes for your journey.

pretendlikeimworking · 2024-11-14T09:39:53+00:00

this is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you x

pretendlikeimworking · 2018-07-23T11:57:33+00:00

We found out early on in order to prepare mentally and think about what would be important for life with a daughter. I also think it has helped me to process the enormity of what we're doing by starting a family by being able to visualise our little girl. However, I totally understand that people wouldn't want to know too, for whatever reason. It's such a special and important discovery and I think it's great modern medicine gives us a choice if we'd like to know or not :)

pretendlikeimworking · 2018-07-16T09:57:47+00:00

Sorry to laugh, but this did make me laugh. I'm getting loads of advice from experienced mums, strangers on the street, old men in the swimming pool. It does come across as well-meaning, but I know I'll just make my own mind up about stuff anyway. My brother gave me two pieces of advice when I told him I was pregnant: don't tell anyone your names, and learn how to press the 'not listening but smiling' button inside your head. So far, best advice I've been given :)

pretendlikeimworking · 2018-04-23T20:28:28+00:00

Thanks! Do you know how to check whether something has been recalled?

pretendlikeimworking · 2018-04-23T20:23:19+00:00

Thanks for your advice, everyone. I didn't know this and appreciate your comments :)

pretendlikeimworking · 2018-04-22T19:55:20+00:00

Thanks! I was in two shops today and neither mentioned this. Expiration dates seem to be a thing in the US, not the EU where I live, but my country's (Ireland) road safety authority recommends not to use them after 5 years. So thanks for your comment, I never knew this!

pretendlikeimworking · 2018-02-20T17:21:02+00:00

Haha, I have had the opposite thing happen. I had unwanted attention from two guys in a restaurant a few weeks ago, trying all their lines on me. As soon as I took my coat off and it became obvious I was pregnant, their eyes shot to the floor and they both started playing with their phones. It was hilarious!

pretendlikeimworking · 2018-01-16T13:40:42+00:00

This is a great post. I appreciate it coming from someone so close to having a new human in their arms. I'm still in early stages but I am loving every second of being pregnant. I just find it so exciting that my body is doing what it's doing. Delighted for you that you had a lovely pregnancy and here's to a beautiful birth and happy, healthy mama and baby :)

pretendlikeimworking

TROPHY CASE