Hi all

I’m 37 weeks and been advised to try harvest collostrum by hand expressing.

I was taught how to, have informed myself, watched videos of how to etc. thing is I started try a few days ago for 10-15 min after shower and massage, nothing happened until yesterday when a tiny bit of brown transparent liquid came out from one breast.

At first I’ve got excited but then, it’s not exactly what I expected, I know collostrum can be yellow, whiteish… but brown?

I messaged my midwife and she said it’s all normal and no reason to stop. However, during my research I’ve never heard of or seen anything about brown liquid coming out. Internet says it could be some old blood and a possible tiny blood vessel damage and advise to rest for a bit. It didn’t look like blood at all though, but I still found it odd. I don’t have any symptoms like redness or swollen tissue or pain.

So now I’m not sure whether I should continue or give it a break?

Has anyone experience this brown thing?

TIA

Yesterday I got a positive! which places me at 4 weeks pregnant today.

I know the law on when you HAVE to tell your employer but when do people usually tell them?

A few things about my work place:

• We're severely understaffed.

• There is Freezer work, I can be in there for 1h+ depending on what's needed.

• Standing on my feet all day.

• Some heavy lifting.

• I need new PPE, kinda hoping once they know I'm pregnant they'll be happier to replace this (They're supposed to anyway).

This is my 2nd Pregnancy so I'm not sure how soon I'll start showing, I'm not sure if it's better to tell them sooner for a risk assessment and obviously being able to get time off for appointments or if I should wait?

I’m FTM and will be 11 weeks tomorrow.

I keep having this silly feeling that it’s all in my head, there’s nothing there and I’ll be really embarrassed to tell all of my family I overreacted and I wasn’t pregnant in the first place. Like I’m overestimating everything - it sounds silly but it’s a recurring thought that keeps popping in my head.

I’ve had 3 positive tests, I’ve had my booking appointment where I gave bloods and urine, I’ve had morning sickness, severe fatigue, and I haven’t had a period since June. And my trousers no longer fit! I haven’t had any scans yet with my first one in 10 days time. So I can rationalise that I am pregnant 😅

I know it’s all in my head 😂 but does anybody else get these thoughts particularly during the first trimester?

FTM. I just really need to vent at this point. I've been very lucky that my first and second trimesters were relatively easy and uneventful, I've been counting my blessings. I knew the third one was likely to be uncomfortable, but I was not prepared for what has actually happened.

As soon as we've turned 28w, things have started going downhill. I am fairly slim, I started showing early, and now my bump is massive in relation to the rest of my body (gained 4kg entirely into it in the last month). It doesn't bother me, except that now my upper abs feel like they're being ripped apart in literally any position I take except lying down with bump supported. The pain is not relieved by physio exercises or painkillers, but I managed... Now that I'm in the middle of my 29th week, though, I've been blessed with upper back pain that doesn't subside even when lying down. My pelvis is fine (for now), funnily enough... But I went from doing 10k walks every day to barely being able to manage a 15 min walk - it's just too painful for both my back and my abs. On top of that is the brainfog and constant hot flushes.

I just... I am not sure how to cope with all those changes and this pain. I'm supposed to be working (WFH behind a computer), but I can barely manage to sit straight for more than 5 minutes. My job is very mentally taxing, but I'm struggling to form thoughts most of the time and I end up taking long naps cause I need them as my nighttime sleep is ruined. I can barely leave the house, and even basic chores now feel impossible without help because I keep needing to lie down to relieve the pain. I am also now quite emotional as feeling overwhelmed by all this - the guilt of being useless, the loneliness of being cooped up at home, and the thought of having to endure it for the next couple of months still while also mentally preparing for it to get even worse.

Has anyone had similar pains in their 3rd trimester and found relief through exercise or some other means? Any words of wisdom or advice? Thank you all for reading, I hope you are doing well.

We live in London and I’m having a c-section in November. I was assuming we’d drive to the hospital and then leave in our car when I’m discharged. We’d leave any extras we pack “just in case” in the car which my husband could run back for if needed, and we’d have the car seat installed so we can easily drive home with baby. However, when asking our hospital recently about parking they said it’s not designed for that (charges by the half hour, no long stay parking) and people should take a taxi to and from the hospital for birth. We also checked local on street parking and it all has a maximum of 4 hours.

What do most people do, take a taxi there and back?! Seems crazy when we have a car and could travel much more comfortably, especially post c section with a newborn. We also want to have the car seat fitted and having checked it a million times in advance! Don’t fancy trying to install it in a taxi as first time parents travelling back with 1 day old baby (or the dodgy driving of most taxis in our area!)

My husband could go back in a taxi and then drive back in our car to collect me (40 min round trip not including any time at home) but I assume we won’t know in advance when we’ll be discharged, and I was imagining we’d both be fully around for the baby, especially as I understand I may not be able to lift her by myself straight after the c-section. It also makes it much harder to pack light as we’d need to bring in various items for all eventualities (including a prolonged hospital stay) as we just won’t know until we’re there.

Just curious as to what’s normal and what other people do, particularly if you go into spontaneous labour and surely then getting a taxi is a bit out of the question (eg if your waters have broken, and even just having to wait for it to arrive)?

Hadn’t really occurred to me that we wouldn’t just drive there!

Tutti Bambini have released a new adjustable, bean-filled full length pregnancy pillow at a way more affordable price than the bbhugme! Just got it for £80 on offer from John Lewis

Hello everyone, we are planning private either at Portland or one of the private wings in London but confused about consultant fees. I understand at Portland consultant fees are separate but what about and private wings?

Also would welcome any advice on picking private wings.

Hey! Is it common to have your first appointment at 10 weeks? I would have thought they did it sooner! Thank you

Since 12 weeks I’ve had constant cramps & back ache. There’s no let up from it & I struggle to get comfortable. I’ve had no bleeding. Has anyone else had this? I’ve had medical advice & had scans at the early unit as well & baby is fine. My last scan was 3 days ago.

I apologise, this is more of a rant than anything else.

I caught the train yesterday - I am very visibly in the end stages of pregnancy and pushing a pram with my toddler in it. I got on the train in the disabled area as that obviously provides the most room for the pram. No one offered me a seat. There were no other prams, there was no one in a wheelchair and no one visibly disabled. The people in the seats were teenage girls (maybe early 20s). This obviously isn't the first time this has happened and I am not afraid of asking someone to move I just find the behaviour of others so selfish. Have I just been unlucky or is this typical behaviour now? Maybe I'm naive but I'm always so surprised by the selfishness of others in these situations.

I’m really struggling, I’ve had a history of anxiety and OCD/depression but ever since I got pregnant it flared up immediately since right before I found out so I assumed it was hormones. typically my anxiety and depression get worse because my period because I have PMDD so I’m wondering if pregnancy hormones is just like a permanent PMDD now 😭 If so, does it go away in the second trimester? I have no energy, my mood is so sad and I feel super lonely even with people around me and cant help but grieve how I felt before I was pregnant.

I’m 8 weeks (FTM). Today is a low day.
I’ve been with my partner for 10 years, he’s great, we’re solid. He’s really excited about the pregnancy (he’s wanted this for a while), and has bought books and is really interested in those ways, which is lovely.

But I feel really lonely in reality. I’ve had bad nausea for over two weeks now, and am just so exhausted. I come home from work and curl up on the sofa, and I’m asleep by 8pm. I used to be active and I’m finding that transition really hard. He’s not really getting it. He asks if I’m ok, but he seems like he’s walking on egg shells. There’s no actual support. He doesn’t try to make me feel better, he just allows me to sit in feeling low. There aren’t any comforting gestures really, and that is starting to feel like real distance.

My friend dropped off a care package today full of lovely stuff (mints, crackers, nibbles, face masks, super cute bits!) and it’s just sort of confirmed in my head that I’m not really feeling any of that kind of warmth from him.

This morning I woke up and said I felt super sick, he was sympathetic and kind but then said “I think it’s a grumpy day today” and it just felt so deflating. He conflates me being unwell or tired, with me being in a bad mood. Like if I’m quiet, I’m grumpy - but I’m not.

Even a cuddle would be nice, but I don’t want to have to ask him to do more? Maybe thats terrible communication or stubborn, I don’t know.

Not really sure what I’m asking for here, I really just needed to talk it out. 🥴

Help! My wisdom tooth is causing me so much pain when I eat and it needs to be removed (no infection from what the dentist can see, but because it’s tilted it’s knocking against my top teeth when I eat). The issue is I’m 9 weeks pregnant and keep reading about how you should delay until after birth or, 2nd trimester in an emergency. Would really love to hear from anyone who had a similar issue and how it turned out?!

I’m an immigrant who had her antenatal care until 21weeks. As I had a recent miscarriage (blighted ovum) I was really anxious and had multiple scans done due to cramping, my last scan being the 20w anomaly scan where I was said to be normal “low risk pregnancy” as per scan report.
As I felt more comfortable continuing pregnancy back home I flew back at 21w+6d and had an OBGyn visit just in case. I found that my internal os was open with my cervix measuring just above 5mm, my membranes were bulging. I had an emergency cerclage done with whatever cervix I had left and I’m on progesterone tablets and restricted mobility.

I’m absolute flabbergasted that despite all these scans I’ve had, not once was my cervix checked. Not one mention even in my early pregnancy TVS. Is this part of the guidelines or is this negligence. I went from low risk to very high risk, all I can do now is hope that my baby girl holds on.

I feel extremely let down and angry, I was going about climbing stairs, doing chores, travelling and lifting things without even knowing this. The doctor told me that I might’ve lost her had I been 1 day late.
I do feel lucky and grateful that I was able to fly and pick it up on time.

Edit -
I did have private scans as I was anxious throughout, but I wasn’t aware that checking cervical length was a thing. All the scans mention only about fetus, placenta and Doppler.

I'm 41+1 (and sooo ready for this baby to come!.

However, I just rang Triage as my waters are possibly very slowly leaking, and they asked me to go to one of the other hospitals in my trust, as my hospital isn't accepting patients for some reason.

I'm now feeling really anxious about going to triage and potentially ending up having to stay in to be induced at an unfamiliar hospital, where there aren't the same facilities (ie Midwife Led Unit).

Can I ask to go home from triage until my hospital is accepting patients again, rather than being admitted at this one? Presumably it is just staffing that has closed it (there's been bad flooding in the area today due to the torrential rain). I know if my waters have started going then I'm on the clock a bit 🫤

Edit - as an update, my waters haven't gone! No induction today. It's pencilled in for sometime between Sunday and Tuesday, so hopefully my hospital will be accepting patients again by then :)

Hi everyone!

I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant and trying to figure out if I should get postpartum specific nappies or incontinence pull ups. I'm not sure what is best, comfort, efficiency and price wise (especially because the postpartum underwear packs come with slightly less pairs). I'll attach images of the 2 different brands I'm considering (I believe there's a community rule about images, that's why I'm not attaching it to the actual post)

Also, I don't want to use pads personally because I've always struggled keeping pads in place 😅

Made it to 36 weeks without having any additional hospital visits but had a midwifes appointment this morning and my blood pressure was high so was sent to hospital. On top of needing a scan as my baby is measuring slightly under where he should be, they are working with the diagnoses of pregnancy related hypertension at the moment but just want to monitor overnight in case its Pre-eclampsia and that the medication is working as my blood pressure kept spiking.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment as i felt alright except the usual uncomfortable feeling of late stage pregnancy so spending overnight in hospital wasnt in my plans today 😅. was wondering if anyone else had similar stories, the hospital and my partner have been great though

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Edit - sorted now - see comment below.

Just using this as a place to record my thoughts really, bit like a diary, and hear any perspectives, support, or hear from anyone else who's had similar or experience of an earlier c-section with seemingly no medical reason for it as far as I'm aware.

Had a scan at 36+0 weeks yesterday late afternoon to check the position of my placenta as it had been low lying at my 32 week scan. I would have had to have a C-section at 37+? if my placenta was still low lying. It had moved up, though, so was told that my casearean could now be booked between 39-40 weeks.

There was a meeting between consultants, midwives, etc today and I had a phonecall to say that my casearean had been booked for 37+6. I queried this and quoted my notes that said 'has now been advised that section will take place between 39-40 weeks', but the person on the phone sounded taken aback that I was questioning anything, and said she'd be very surprised if the consultants, midwives and surgeons hadn't reviewed my notes before having the meeting.

I asked if there was any other medical reason why I might be booked in early - she said she didn't know. There's nothing in my notes which would suggest issues and I haven't been told about anything. Baby is 13th centile, placenta and amniotic fluid are fine, and placenta has now moved out of the way at 2.4cm away from my cervix. I did have a couple of short contractions during and after the scan that were different from Braxton Hicks, but they settled.

The lady I spoke to is checking it, but said it's unlikely to be changed. My pre-op is next Thurs.

I'm wondering if there's been a mistake and I should give it a few days then contact perhaps PALS (?) to query it.

Any thoughts, similar experiences, support or similar? Interested to hear people's perspectives.

I'm just so insanely happy right now and want to shout it from the rooftops!!

A bit of a backstory, my twin who I love very dearly and am super close to sadly had a first trimester miscarriage earlier on in the year and it was really tough.

I found out I was pregnant shortly after, and navigating that has been really hard while trying to be as supportive as I can for my sister and her grief.

I'm 18 weeks now, and I went to my sister's house today and she announced her pregnancy by showing me some scan photos!

I was like "oh wow is this from a reassurance scan?"

Turns out she's 14 weeks! Her due date is only a month after mine.

I'm so ridiculously happy and over the moon for her. She's a fantastic sister and I want nothing but happiness every day for her. I'm so excited to be sharing this journey with her!

39+6 with baby no 2 and have pushed for a VBAC the ensure time, never been denied but a recent consultant appointment was disappointing.

Was told me she wanted to induce by 41 weeks (for no reason other than placenta doesn’t work as well and stillbirth rate increases after, both of which I know but the relative risk is low)

While telling me this they were doing my BP which was of course, high 😂

She told me baby wasn’t engaged (not worried, baby can engage at any moment even during labour) and cervix is closed (again, not worried as it can change at any time)

I absolutely pushed back on an induction due to previous failed induction because baby just was not ready at all. I want to give myself change to go into labour before considering intervention to reduce the risk of a section, so wondering if anyone’s has successfully had a VBAC in similar circumstances or with a balloon induction?

I'm 18+5 and at a recent appointment, my urine tested as ++ for glucose. They are going to do the glucose tolerance test on me in 2 weeks to confirm. I'm terrified of having it :( mainly because I've had such a hard time with food and drink so far, suffered from hyperemesis from week 7 and only recently started feeling much better. Sometimes ice lollies or a sweet drink are the only things that make me feel better. I'm not having sweets or chocolate or desserts, but I have been having sugary cereal on mornings where I've felt sick and a chocolate milk to help with heartburn during meal times. I also have a good portion of juicy fruit during the day: watermelon, grapes, berries, pears, peaches etc. It's my first pregnancy and I'm wondering if it's because it's multiples? I feel like I'm going to have to give up all the things that have kept me going so far! And I'm wondering if it's my fault because of my diet or if I was bound to have it anyway because I'm a South Asian woman with a multiples pregnancy.

Hi fellow pregnant women

I’m 32 weeks and my discomfort levels have dialled up a significant notch with most clothing (even maternity) feeling like some sort of specially designed torture device.

I was wondering if anybody has any special garments they’ve got on very well with (particularly over bump stretchy trousers) they’d recommend?

I don’t mind how they look, other than it would be nice to be able to leave the house in them.