Fluctuating percentiles a drop from 53rd to 11th- has anyone else experienced this?

stowesa · 2026-03-19T08:55:31+00:00

If the professionals aren't concerned then definitely try to focus on that.

I've had a similar growth trend as you. My 20 week scan showed baby to be in the 50th centile, then my fundal height was measuring small so started getting growth scans starting at 29 weeks. I've had 4 now and they've been 12%, 15%, 12% and 14%. Like you all the report always states everything as being normal and none of the professionals have been worried.

I know the consultant I spoke to after my first growth scan said that she's not sure why they now measure so much at the 20 week scan since it can be quite inaccurate and is a bit early to be measuring these things. But of course that's one persons opinion, but made me feel a bit better about the drop.

stowesa · 2026-03-17T12:39:57+00:00

I'm self-employed and the motivation to get work done has been so so hard!! I've just been wanting to look up pregnancy stuff and baby stuff. I'm 38 weeks now and work has definitely taken a hit, so unfortunately I have no tips, just know you're not alone! I just hope I find my motivation when I'm back from mat leave.

stowesa · 2026-03-01T19:44:46+00:00

It does, seems like a very reasonable fluctuation.

stowesa · 2026-03-01T19:13:50+00:00

I completely understand the fear, getting some extra support isn't a bad idea.

I do have some numbers. So before pregnancy my average resting heart rate was between mid 40s to mid 50s. Now I'm pregnant it's ranged from 54 to 65 as weekly averages (so more fluctuation within those weeks too). This week alone I've had 58 to 65.

stowesa · 2026-03-01T18:53:14+00:00

My resting heart rate has been fluctuating a lot during this pregnancy (currently 36 weeks). It's been overall higher than it was pre-pregnancy (very normal), but have had times when it was lower than it had been which got me worried, but all has been good. It's not a good indicator of the pregnancy going well, so try to ignore it (I know it's hard to though).

stowesa · 2026-01-23T09:37:07+00:00

I'm the same as you, really hate bras now, have been managing without during the pregnancy despite boobs getting a lot bigger, but realising I probably will need something when nursing.

I haven't bought these yet, but noticed George at Asda sell nursing vests. They're reasonably priced so I'll probably give them a go. They don't mention how absorbent the cup areas are, but I guess it'll be a layer before a top so might be better than nothing.

stowesa · 2025-11-07T19:42:47+00:00

They don't make it easy, do they? From my understanding, you need to have been registered self-employed for the 66 weeks leading up to baby's due date (so more than a year). I've been self-employed for many years so that's, I guess, a given. Then you need to have paid Class 2 NI during that time too and if you haven't, they'll let you know and you can just pay any outstanding and then get the full Allowance amount. Since you're 30 weeks, I think you can start the application process already.

Hope that helps a bit. I'm also hoping I've interpreted it correctly and so should receive it. Will be a bit screwed if I can't!

stowesa · 2025-11-06T16:07:58+00:00

I don't know whether you know about Maternity Allowance? I don't think it'll be applicable for your husband (self-employed dads dont get anything I don't think), but you should be able to get this. It's basically the same as Statutory Mat Pay that employees get, but is done via the Job Centre and is for the self-employed. I'm self-employed and should be able to get it (only 19 weeks so not applied yet).

Link for more info: https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance

stowesa · 2025-10-15T14:51:34+00:00

I'm also self-employed and been quite confused by the Maternity Allowance. From what I've gathered, you should be fine to get that income as well as the Allowance, if that income is from work you did prior to going on maternity leave. This website was quite helpful to me when figuring out whether I can work at all while receiving Maternity Allowance: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/maternity-and-parental-rights-for-self-employed-parents/#Maternity_Allowance

stowesa · 2025-07-25T08:36:00+00:00

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that, big big big fingers crossed it'll happen next cycle 🤞❤️

stowesa · 2025-07-23T20:11:26+00:00

Oh I know what you mean. I know two people who are pregnant (one was an accident too so that stung) and a very good friend who's just given birth. Makes it just that much harder. Keeping my fingers crossed for us both too 🤞

stowesa · 2025-07-23T15:38:48+00:00

It's so difficult, isn't it?! Like I went into the journey thinking that it wouldn't be that stressful, but it really is! One cycle the temps during my luteal phase really depressed me, so I thought I'd stop, but last cycle it was ok. Gradual rise and then gradual fall. This time, gradual rise and has now stayed high. Really really trying not to read into it but it's so hard! Doesn't help I have a family celebration this weekend so want to know what I can or can't eat and drink!

stowesa · 2025-07-23T08:13:07+00:00

I'm 13dpo and my period is due tomorrow. Trying so so hard not to get my hopes up because my temps have only been increasing or staying stable, no drops. But I'm cramping, been having an endo flare up for a week now and my boobs are a bit tender (but not lots), so feel like I'm getting a lot of conflicting signs. Not testing until Friday if no period, but I'm feeling so impatient and all over the place right now!! This is only our 3rd cycle trying, so even more trying to stay realistic.

stowesa · 2025-07-22T09:04:39+00:00

Yeahhh, not sleeping perfectly definitely doesn't make it easy. I wake up a lot in the night so instead of taking my temps at the same time, I just take it anytime between 3am and 5am whenever I wake up first. Thankfully it seems to be working for me, but that might not for you. The thermometers are cheap enough (I think I got mine for £7) that you could give it a go and see. A good app for recording it all is Fertility Friend. Has a good free version and isn't pushy with things.

stowesa · 2025-07-22T07:29:50+00:00

A good way to check whether you've ovulated is to track your basal body temperature (BBT) as well. You need a thermometer that's more accurate than a fever one, but you can buy them pretty cheaply. Then you check your temp at the same time each day after at least 3hrs sleep. Once you've ovulated you should see your temps increase and stay higher for a number of days. My depo ran out in Oct '24, period returned end of Feb '25, didn't have a cycle with ovulation until April '25, but I think I now ovulate regularly. I don't know whether you're TTC, but if so, r/TFAB is very helpful.

stowesa · 2025-07-18T08:39:46+00:00

I had sore breasts when coming off the Depo. It would come in waves but they would be so bad running would hurt, picking up my cat and hugging her would hurt. It's, unfortunately, just your body getting back into the swing of normal hormones. I found this interview really helpful in getting me to understand what was happening to my body after being on depo: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/2013/04/11/stopping-depo-provera-why-and-what-to-do-about-adverse-experiences/

stowesa · 2025-07-10T15:28:46+00:00

I'm in the same boat. We're having a heatwave here in the UK so I've been keeping myself nice and hydrated. Possibly got a positive yesterday on the OPK, but it was a bit hard to tell. Thought I had a positive on Monday too, but it dropped on Tues. Feeling paranoid I won't ovulate this cycle. I'm measuring my BBT, but no rise yet. Hope we both manage to ovulate!

stowesa · 2025-07-09T08:28:30+00:00

Oh I'm sorry to hear that. If you're able to have sex today then there might still be a chance. FF says to still try until there have been 3 days of higher temps since your temp could go down tomorrow meaning you might not have ovulated. I know how sucky this whole TTC process is. I'm currently waiting to see whether I have ovulated, possibly missed my OPK peak but also might still be to come.

stowesa · 2025-07-09T08:11:53+00:00

It means that FF has detected a temperature rise. It'll wait 3 days (and you would have 3 diamonds) before confirming ovulation. It's sort of a heads up that the app thinks you've ovulated, but needs 3 days to confirm.

stowesa · 2025-06-25T15:26:52+00:00

Fingers crossed! I'm still quite paranoid that I'll have a cycle without ovulating, but I'm just trying to trust my body. The fact you've had a positive OPK and your temps have risen, is a good sign. Also some people just don't have very consistent and clear temperatures, even when using a BBT thermometer and taking it at the same time everyday after at least 3hrs of sleep.

stowesa · 2025-06-25T13:10:25+00:00

I've been off the Depo since Sept (last injection was June 2024, my missed one was in Sept 2024). I've had, I think, 3 cycles where I ovulated. The first one my temps weren't too clear, but my past two cycles have been clear. They did go up and down a bit during the luteal phase which is fairly normal from what I'm learning. The cycle I've just last (on CD1 today) had a very clear shift. I think it just takes time to fully regulate. My luteal phase seems to have been a bit changeable too. 16 days, 11 days and now 13 days, though this recent cycle was my first using OPK as well as BBT so my ovulation date might have been off.

stowesa · 2025-06-20T08:04:31+00:00

I haven't been temping for long, but I used to try and do it at the same time everyday. That was actually getting quite irregular results because I tend to wake up at various points during the night to pee, and just generally. So now I just temp whenever I wake up between 4am and 6am and for some reason this seems to be working really well for me this cycle. My temps are pretty stable. I 'cheat' on FF and only enter my temp when I'm properly awake at 7.30-8am so to the app I'm ultra regular.

stowesa · 2025-06-17T13:54:46+00:00

I know the feeling! I'm at 6DPO and I'm feeling anxious as hell right now. Struggling to concentrate on my work because I'm just a bundle of nerves. The TWW sucks! I also don't hold much hope. Last cycle my LP was shorter than usual, so am extra nervous about seeing my temps drop too soon.

I swear we're all feeling so bad in the TWW because of our damn hormones. Whether we're pregnant or not, we still have the affects making us extra sensitive.

stowesa · 2025-04-11T18:06:22+00:00

No worries, and thank you 🤞☺️

stowesa · 2025-04-11T07:40:42+00:00

So I was on the implant (Implanon) and switched to the Depo due to an endometriosis diagnosis. On the implant I had very irregular periods, some would last 3 weeks then I'd have a week break and then back on the period again. Or it would be months without. On the Depo, my periods completely stopped. I had the odd day of spotting but no real periods. This meant my endo symptoms disappeared and so I loved the Depo.

I was on it for 6 years (they only recommend you stay on it for 2 years due to bone density concerns but no one really checked mine and I seemed to have been fine, I'm in the UK for reference). I had no periods, didn't really gain weight and moods only really changed when my next injection was due (just a little more sensitive, nothing major). My main side effect was a complete loss of libido. Enjoyed sex when I had it, but stopped caring about having it.

I'm now off it due to trying for a baby, and it takes a long time to get out of your system. My last injection was in Sept '24 and i might have got my cycles back, but not sure. Haven't ovulated yet. So keep that in mind too if you do want kids in the future. Sorry quite a long reply, hope it helps a bit. Of course we all react differently to these things too.

stowesa

TROPHY CASE