GL note;
This thread is where all your questions and comments about pregnancy-related medical problems and health scares can be found...other than morning sickness, which deserves a thread entirely to itself! From gestational diabetes to swollen ankles, SPD to eczema, Strep B to chicken pox...they're all here somewhere.

BC

Anyone had experience of placenta previa or placenta accreta? I ask because Mrs Surfin had a tough time with junior surfin no.2 back in November/December/January. (ended up in intensive care and lots more I could add)

Thankfully baby Faye is doing brilliantly and Mrs Surfin is recovering well but still having tough days.

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of it....

Cheers

Jim:thumbsup:

I'm not sure what mine was called but my placenta didn't come out properly and I ended up in high dependency ward with hemeraging 3 week later and was lucky to survive. I'm expecting again and very very nervous of a repeat performance.

Stardust its called retained placenta where your placenta stays put or doesnt come out in one go,


I guess ive been lucky as i didnt get pp, but ended up with SPD,

I have a friend who had full placenta previa with the birth of her last child, necessitating an elective section (which didn't quite go according to plan as she went into labour away from home the week before her section was due, but it all turned out ok in the end).

The medics were quite at pains to point out how important it was for her baby's life that she couldn't deliver normally, which did worry her rather, but I'm sure they wouldn't do that without good cause.

Mrs Surfin had an extreme example of Placenta accreta, but Jessops are expecting more cases.

Mrs Surfin knew she lad low lying placenta and as the pregnancy went on it was identified that she had placenta accreta. This meant elective c section. Mrs Surfin ended up in Jessops 12 weeks before due date.

We had Christmas dinner in the Jessops conservatory and also my little boys 4th birthday in her room.

Baby Faye was born 6 weeks early weighing in at 4lb 14. She wasn't breathing at first but soon pulled through. She had a week on special care unit.

Mrs Surfin had a full blood transfusion totalling 13 units of blood and 27 units of fluids in total. She had an emergency hysterectomy to save her life as she was bleeding to death. She also needed bladder surgery.

She ended up in intensive care followed by 4 days in HDU. The staff in Jessops and RHH intensive care were brilliant throughout.

Mrs Surfin has had further surgery since to tidy things up.

I'm glad I raised the subject because I think I needed to get it off my chest as such.

Jessops think that the reason Mrs Surfin ended up with PA was because she had an elective C section first time, and they are expecting to see more and more cases of PA, although not this extreme.

If anyone has any questions, let me know.

Jim:thumbsup:

That sounds like such a scary nightmare for all of you surfinjim- my friend was lucky in that apart from her section everything else went to plan and she was home 4 days later.

Glad to hear that both her and the baby came through it fine, although it's worrying if this sort of thing is going to happen more frequently in the future.

Hi Medusa

Yes it was avery very scary time. At one point I was running (literally) between Special Care Unit for Baby Surfin and Intensive Care in RHH for Mrs Surfin.

We'd beed warned about worse case scenario being the hysterectomy, but when I was sat outside theatre and they kept sending for more blood I knew things were not going exactly to plan.

Me and Mrs Surfin have talked it through a number of times and to be honest, its still not sunk in how lucky we are to all be here. I know that sounds a bit dramatic but its how it was at the time.

It showed me how to be a lot more tolerant of 4 year old junior Surfin, as we were together on our own for best part of 3 months apart from hospital visits.

Its not fact that it will happen more often, but certainly the opinion of many of the staff at Jessops.

Jim:thumbsup:

i had placenta previa grade four doctors told me i was like a time bomb waiting to go off i had a c/section at 36weeks my baby didnt need icu luckly

I dont know where you get the idea from that the jessops are expecting to see more cases of placenta accreta, more sections yes but that because more people having them now for what ever reason. In my years of working at jessops I have never come across a case of placenta accreta, so please people try not to panic. We are lovely

I dont know where you get the idea from that the jessops are expecting to see more cases of placenta accreta, more sections yes but that because more people having them now for what ever reason. In my years of working at jessops I have never come across a case of placenta accreta, so please people try not to panic. We are lovely


Yes I know you are lovely at Jessops, you certainly looked after my tribe exceptionally well. I wasn't trying to cause panic either, and it wasn't my idea. The suggestion of more cases of placenta accreta came from a very knowledgeable source, and it was his/her opinion that due to the increase in instance of c-section that there MAY be an increase of PA.

Nothing more/nothing less than a mere suggestion.

Cheers
Jim:thumbsup:

Hi ladies :wave:

ok I'm not pregnant...

but i thought this was the best place to ask this question, by just after lunchtime everyday and for the rest of the afternoon and evening i suffer with swollen ankles and feet...

other than giong for a walk - which i do, putting them up - which i'm trying but i'm at work and typing sideways, and drinking lots of water... can anyone recommend anything???

Have you had your BP checked lately?

First signs I had that my BP was a bit off was swollen ankles.

not so long back yes, and it was fine...

hmmm.. might explain the dizzyness too.....

Reduce salt intake

I barely have any salt :( I don't use it in cooking, add it to my food or eat much in the way of processed food.... thanks for the suggestion though :thumbsup:

Hi ladies :wave:

now i'm not saying i am ;) or i'm not ;) ;) ;) (edit: i'm not)

but i thought this was the best place to ask this question, by just after lunchtime everyday and for the rest of the afternoon and evening i suffer with swollen ankles and feet...

other than giong for a walk - which i do, putting them up - which i'm trying but i'm at work and typing sideways, and drinking lots of water... can anyone recommend anything???

my guess would be that if you wait for maybe...36 weeks you'll have massive spontaneous weight loss and stop retaining water.

seriously, i've noticed a few posts by you over the last week or two which makes me want to ask -

are you SURE you're not?
:wink: :wink:

my guess would be that if you wait for maybe...36 weeks you'll have massive spontaneous weight loss and stop retaining water.

seriously, i've noticed a few posts by you over the last week or two which makes me want to ask -

are you SURE you're not?
:wink: :wink:
As of this morning... YES!!! :(

Awwwww poor Em

I'm sending you a hug em- it's a bit of a slap in the face when you're hoping otherwise.

Awwwww poor Em

its ok, i'm sure there's time yet,... and we weren't exactly trying anyway (to be honest we taking several precautions against it) still kinda disappointing though eh! ;)

still leaves me with dizzyness nausea swollen feet and an urge to knit...

:confused:

maybe its stress :help:

Oh, I know that feeling so well, even if you weren't meaning to be, there's this bittersweet disappointment when you're not...big hugs to you!

PS I won't ask how you know you're not...but if it wasn't a pregnancy testing kit, it may be worth investing in one. Not to go into gory details, but you can still appear to be having your normal cycle while being in the club as it were. :OP
Just an idea.

Well, had a loverly chat with a nurse this morning who also suggested i could be pregnant... then went to see a doc who suggested the same thing... then laughed when i told him i was on implanon AND the pill ;) so definatly not that then!
anyway, he thinks the swollen ankles are probably a reaction to the high hormone dose i'm getting anyway, so not a lot i can do about that apart from drink shedloads of water...
apart from that i have labrynthitus which is causing the dizzyness and that in turn is causing the nausea... :(

I'm going back to bed :(

Well, had a loverly chat with a nurse this morning who also suggested i could be pregnant... then went to see a doc who suggested the same thing... then laughed when i told him i was on implanon AND the pill ;) so definatly not that then!
anyway, he thinks the swollen ankles are probably a reaction to the high hormone dose i'm getting anyway, so not a lot i can do about that apart from drink shedloads of water...
apart from that i have labrynthitus which is causing the dizzyness and that in turn is causing the nausea... :(

I'm going back to bed :(

sorry if upset you at all, and sorry you're not up the pregnant if you wanted to be! the symptoms sounded so right...

hope you feel better soon!:)

they did sound so right i almost convinced myself... though i knew for various reason i couldn't be...

still i at least have some answers (and drugs) to help now :)

Time will tell.

Inside knowledge of this kind of thing over the past 20 years suggests that the number of women with placenta accreta isn't going up.

Caesarean section rate about the same now as it was 8 years ago - in spite of the papers!

To get this problem the placenta has to be at the front, a placenta praevia, and the woman has to have a previous Caesarean.

Most placentas are either at the top or back. Not so many at the front. Placenta praevia, likewise isn't too common. Low lying placentas can be picked up on the 20 week scan. Only one in ten low lying placentas will remain so, becoming placenta praevia.

- Oracle

Hello Mums and Dads,

So can you develop new allergies to things when pregnant that you were not allergic to before?

OllieK

Yes - please don't tell us you're suddenly allergic to cats :(

hello ok,
yes, i think you can, although it's far far too early in the morning for me to rack my brains trying to work out why. besides, madam wants her mashed banana and doesn't appreciate being kept waiting...

does this mean you're developing allergies?? i certainly hope so!:D

I was just curious :D x but it would be great if I had developed some allergies :) except if it was my cats and puppy I started sneezing at x

how come i always like your posts ollie??? im not following u honest!!!!

i have become ill with some things and thing which i cant stand the smell of, i have developed strange phobias, never been frightened of spiders unless im pregnant with a boy, very strange!

x

I became allergic to belt buckles and couldn't stand the smell of chips:gag:

you can just grow in and out of allergies ... pregnant or not

My hubby appears to have developed a cat allergy - we had had the cats for 14 years:-o So it seems you can develop allergies at any time - dont know whether you would be more sensitive when you were pregnant though.

You can develop an allergy at any point in life, pregnant or otherwise but since your immune system is slightly compromised when pregnant I think it has something to do with the antigens and your bodies immediate assessment and reaction to certain items.
A few months after giving birth and at the grand old age of 29 I suddenly become allergic to oranges and guava though it had never been an issue before.
Now I have to carry antihistamines everywhere with me.
So, pregnancy could be a factor because of your immune system but it could happen regardless.

One common symptom of pregnancy is allergic rhinitis.

I suppose it's very likely as in pregnancy your body is working really hard at creating something of fundamental importance...so the little things get neglected.

What vitamins did you have while pregnant and what do you have now? Do you even believe in them?
I had Pregnacare then Magnesium OK(amongst other stuff) now.
Any good herbals for losing pregnancy weight with exercise?? Im taking Sea Kelp, Ginseng, Zinc

Do you know any? Are you one?

My other half is one and on Friday we have to into Leicester for a blood test to see what her levels are.

Have you had to go through this? Could I tell my blood group from this? My other half is O rhesus neg and my daughter is positive.
Is there a way to sort of... back engineer this to find out my blood group? Im sure I have SOME blood in my coffee supply, I just dont know what group I am.

My next door neighbour had to go through it all and to carry the card and all that jazz- it turned out to all be fine for her though, and nothing needed doing any differently.

You could be able to tell your blood group from it- but not necessarily. If your little one is A+ and you know your partner is O-, then she must have inherited both the A antigen and the positive rhesus factor from you. It's not always that clear cut though.

My daughter is O positive.

So theres a way to find out without me having to have some monster in a white coat trying to stick a needle in me?

Can't help you here, mate, but hope it all goes well.

This might help..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhesus_blood_group_system

I'm weird...despite my fear of needles and the white-coated fiends who wield them, I was a blood, plasma and platelet donor for more years than I care to remember! :)

Can't help you here, mate, but hope it all goes well.

This might help..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhesus_blood_group_system
Thanks for that! ill have a peek.

Whoa! Im going to have to get my other half to read it!
I got to the third paragraph and almost fainted! Blood... oh god...

I'm fairly sure my Mum was, I'll ask her when I next speak to her but you probably have all the info you need form the site link that Joe provided.

My other half hasnt read the link yet and I cant read it because im a cowardly wimp but the big day is tomorrow and shes already getting nervous.
Scared of a little needle... huh.

I am ! And I was scared stiff when they told me at the hospital when I was pregnant but it was all ok. I carried my card around in my purse and told my nearest and dearest in case something happened.

I had to have extra blood tests when pregnant but it was ok.

This condition is monitored very carefully now in pregnant women,and should be no cause for concern.Years ago it was, but not now.

This condition is monitored very carefully now in pregnant women,and should be no cause for concern.Years ago it was, but not now.
Shhh dont tell her that! I like to see her whittling! :D

Shhh dont tell her that! I like to see her whittling! :D


Just tell her there is nothing to worry about whatsoever. Take my word for it.:thumbsup:

Is this your partners first pregnancy, Jabberwocky?
If I remember rightly from when my aunt had some problems with this it is the second and subsequent pregnancies that can be problematic for rhesus negative women, but don't quote me on it.

Its the first with the rhesus thing yes. Im assuming that Rhesus is the same thing as the Rhesus monkeys, so Im cheering my other half up by calling her a worthless ape.

See? I CAN be sensitive if i try really hard!

Hi Jabberwocky! I am rhesus neg and it is fine with the first pregnancy, like someone has already said, it is the 2nd etc that there maybe problems. I had to have an anti D injection a couple of days after the birth of my 2nd baby a couple of years ago. But it is absolutely nothing to worry about! The midwives will explain everything and put your partners mind at rest!

Jabbers if you go on www.blood.co.uk (under 'all about blood') - i can't get on it something to do with Flash Player :rolleyes: . Theres a blood group calculator and i think you can put your other halfs blood group in and your little girls and i think it will give you suggestions for what your blood group is.

Hi Jabberwocky! I am rhesus neg and it is fine with the first pregnancy, like someone has already said, it is the 2nd etc that there maybe problems. I had to have an anti D injection a couple of days after the birth of my 2nd baby a couple of years ago. But it is absolutely nothing to worry about! The midwives will explain everything and put your partners mind at rest!
Yup! this is going to be our second ankle biter. My other half had the intra muscular jab today plus a blood test. We travelled all the way into Leicester and we only sent around 10 minutes in the hospital.
The odd thing is, the baby is now in position for birth, we discovered this on tuesday at a visit to the midwifes, the baby isnt due until February but the midwife says not to worry. My other half has been feeling contractions for the past few days plus shes been feeling ill, really ill, and after the injection...She felt fine! All shes got now are the slight contractions. Im wondering if the jab stopped something...

Jabbers if you go on www.blood.co.uk (under 'all about blood') - i can't get on it something to do with Flash Player :rolleyes: . Theres a blood group calculator and i think you can put your other halfs blood group in and your little girls and i think it will give you suggestions for what your blood group is.
Thanks for that! I checked and I could be any one of three groups, although the otherhalf tells me that if I have human blood in me, she`ll eat her hat! She suggested I go to a vet and have a blood test there because Im either part pig, or part lizard.
I COULD have a blood test to determine my group but... Im yeller.

Yup! this is going to be our second ankle biter. My other half had the intra muscular jab today plus a blood test. We travelled all the way into Leicester and we only sent around 10 minutes in the hospital.
The odd thing is, the baby is now in position for birth, we discovered this on tuesday at a visit to the midwifes, the baby isnt due until February but the midwife says not to worry. My other half has been feeling contractions for the past few days plus shes been feeling ill, really ill, and after the injection...She felt fine! All shes got now are the slight contractions. Im wondering if the jab stopped something...


Only just seen this post Jabbers.Looks like the injection may have been to stop the contractions. Hows Julie feeling today ? Dont be afraid to ask any questions at your GPs or the Maternity unit. The fact that you werent kept long at the hospital shows they had no worry over the baby.They will have got her up to date scans etc;

Julie is fine today, in fact, about 20 minutes after the needle went in she reported an improvement. Now shes full of vim and in a very good and relaxed mood.
I wish the pains would come back because shes bugging me. At least she was quiet then! :D

Julie is fine today, in fact, about 20 minutes after the needle went in she reported an improvement. Now shes full of vim and in a very good and relaxed mood.
I wish the pains would come back because shes bugging me. At least she was quiet then! :D


Dont take too much notice of medical advice from SF, medical books or Google, over Julies pregnancy. They may not be up to date with the latest facts,but the Maternity unit will.

My mum's read a leaflet about Group B Strep and is now that worried about it, she keeps pestering me to get tested.

Has anyone else heard about this before and took the test? Apparently the NHS test is really inaccurate but you can pay around £30 to have the test done privately.

Hi

For info:

GBS is very common (exact figures untested and thus unknown) and is thought to be carried by 1 in 3 women of childbearing age. Out of all the people I know who have had babies in the last few years, over 50% had this - some found out via the test and some because of their waters breaking prior to labour starting.

I found out that I had it (due to tests resulting from concerns) in early pregnancy, but it is not tested as standard procedure by the NHS due to the lack of resources. Despite this, GBS is the biggest baby killer in the UK. However, if antibiotics are given intravenously during the labour, the risk significantly reduces to nearly 0%.

As you mentioned the NHS tests are cheap and ineffective anyhow, and result in 50% of false negatives, due to the way in which the samples are cultured.

There are several private labs which perform this test for approx £30 during the last few weeks of pregnancy. The following website gives lots of info on GBS and also gives information on one of these private clinics.

http://www.gbss.org.uk/

My test experience:

I was led to believe that if I had the private test week 37 and it was negative, then I wouldn't need intravenous antibiotics during the birth.

However, after a negative test, I was told by a hospital consultant that they wouldn't support my home birth as I could still be GBS positive during labour, and that antibiotics should still be administered. This conflicted with midwife advice during the birth, when I had to push for the antibiotics after the 'specialist' advice conflicted with theirs.

Though GBS affects a relatively small number of babies, it can cause horrible disabilities or even death, so is it even worth taking the risk when it’s practically avoidable? I think £30 is a small price to pay to such reassurance.

Let me know if I can give info on my experience or on GBS generally,

Good luck with the pregnancy!

Tigs

I have Group B Strep and my consultant supported my home delivery after a negative test at 37 weeks. The gbss supprt group are very helpful but I would say that if you labour pre 37 weeks, have previous children infected with Group B Strep or have not delivered 24 hours after rupture of membranes then I would insist on the the IV antib's anyway.

wiil I be safe to be in contact with a child who may have chicken pox.?
I am going away with my nephews who are at a nursery with child/children who have chicken pox. am i safe to be in contact.?
????

you should be ok. after 20 weeks there should be no damage to your baby, only to you if you get it and the chances are that you wouldn't get it anyway.

if you know you've had it when you were younger you'll be ok but if you'ver never had it i'd stay away until you were definately past 20 weeks.

you should be ok. after 20 weeks there should be no damage to your baby, only to you if you get it and the chances are that you wouldn't get it anyway.

if you know you've had it when you were younger you'll be ok but if you'ver never had it i'd stay away until you were definately past 20 weeks.

you SHOULD be safe if you've had the infection before (a lot of people have antibodies against chicken pox without ever having shown symptoms, myself included - if you've never had it you can easily have a blood test done and assayed for antibodies). chicken pox can be a major problem around the time of birth, too (until a baby has had antibodies passed to it by its mother, a chicken pox infection can be extremely serious), but you're hopefully months from that anyway.

em is right though - stay well clear until 20 weeks if you've not had the infection yourself in the past.

my little cousins developed it the day after i saw them and a completely diff friends son had it and she forgot to tell me-wasnt happy. Was about14weeks. Best to be safe-can be awful apparently. think i was very lucky and so was my 18m old not to catch it-seeing as hed been rolling on floor with my cousins!

if you do happen to get it theres a vacinne i think if you got to the doctors immediately.

my little cousins developed it the day after i saw them and a completely diff friends son had it and she forgot to tell me-wasnt happy. Was about14weeks. Best to be safe-can be awful apparently. think i was very lucky and so was my 18m old not to catch it-seeing as hed been rolling on floor with my cousins!

i would maybe talk to the doctor as the most infectious time is before the spots develop so you have most likely already been in contact with it.

edit to add:The incubation period (the time between exposure to the virus and appearance of symptoms) is between 10 and 20 days

gosh didnt know that! im fine though-called doc and they said keep an eye but am 19weeks and fine!

Hi!

I am 9-weeks pregnant. I am considering whether to have a CVS done, as I carry a genetic condition which in a small percentage of cases can be passed on to babies.

The problem is, I am paranoid about miscarrying (have miscarried before), and I know this procedure carries a 1% chance of losing the pregnancy. So I have a few questions for those of you who have had it:

- where did you have it done, and what was your experience like?
- was it very painful?
- is transvaginal better/easier than through your abdomen?
- would you recommend it?
- anything else I should know?

Thanks!

I've no idea - just want to wish you the best of luck whatever your decision is.

well, how bad is the genetic condition? is there something that could be done to stop it if it was found?

best people to ask is midwife and she might be able to point you towards people at your clinic that have already had it done. sorry i cant help more.

Hi!

I am 9-weeks pregnant. I am considering whether to have a CVS done, as I carry a genetic condition which in a small percentage of cases can be passed on to babies.

The problem is, I am paranoid about miscarrying (have miscarried before), and I know this procedure carries a 1% chance of losing the pregnancy. So I have a few questions for those of you who have had it:

- where did you have it done, and what was your experience like?
- was it very painful?
- is transvaginal better/easier than through your abdomen?
- would you recommend it?
- anything else I should know?

Thanks!

The question you have to ask is wether the reults will make any difference. If you get the tests and the results show the baby will have the condition would you then have a termination? If the answer to this is no then i would not risk it and wait until the baby is born and prepar yourself for the baby having the condition.


good luck with everything and hope it all goes well:thumbsup:

I have to say i have never had this done, but i did use to work in the genetics department that grow and analyse the test (within the childrens hospital), and you usually get a very quick result, and then a confirmation result about a week later.

The risk is the same as having an amniocentisis i believe, so if you need to have the test done it is done much earlier.

Good luck and i hope everything goes OK.

I have had the CVS procedure. If you pm me I will let you have details of my experience.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Your chances of miscarrying are 1 in 100 so I suppose it depends on the chance of your baby developing your genetic condition. If it's 1 in 4 then I suppose you have to weigh up how much or how little the condition is going to affect your child's life. Only you can make that decision.

I had an amniocentisis when I was pregnant with my youngest, and it wasn't as painful as I expected. It took some soul searching, but I knew that it was the right thing to do for us. Thankfully everything was ok.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

im 11weeks & suffering from a really bad cold, only had it for a few days but i really feel like s**t, is there anything that wont harm my baby that i can take? & talk about morning sickness, omg, had that for the past 2 weeks, any1 with any info plz contact me thanx x

Welcome to the Parenting Group, hun. There are several threads you may find interesting...

Lots of pregnant peeps are here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=179447)

Here is some more stuff about morning sickness (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=162405&highlight=morning+sickness)

Enjoy!

Cosy

I had a cold around the same time as you in my pregnancy. You can't use much, just paracetamol and I used (but I can't remember the name of them) crystals things that you put in hot water and steam your nose over. Ask at the pharmacy and make sure you tell them you are pregnant.

Menthol crystals?

Time is running out for me agewise to have kids and my new husband and I would dearly love one. I have only ever been pregnant once before at 18 and miscarried and never bee pregnant since despite long periods of time with no contraception during my first marriage and taking fertility drugs for 18 months. Tests showed nothing wrong with either of us at that time.

The thing is when called for a routine smear test the other week not one out of 3 doctors who tried could perform the test as none of them could find my cervix and just kept saying "I'm puzzled, it's just not there"

Also during love making (and I hope this doesn't sound too personal) but the semen runs away more or less immediately despite the elevated bum technique and sticking legs up a wall etc and the docs say it's because the cervix isn't there and it would explain why I'm not getting pregnant when everything else is o.k.

I'm now on a waiting list to see the gynae again and have further investigations, but just wondered if anyone else has experienced the invisible cervix problem and what happened if anything about it.

The cervix is more visible at certain times in the cycle - close to ovulation it's more raised and open, for example.

What I WOULD do, though, is get to your GP and ask for a referral to a fertility specialist, not just a gynae examination. But seeing the gynae people is an excellent start. If you're in your late 30s then you've already been trying for long enough to warrant seeing a specialist. They'll be able to examine you using ultrasound and other techniques and start looking in to it.

Don't stress too much; I'm sure that they'll find the problem.

The thing is when called for a routine smear test the other week not one out of 3 doctors who tried could perform the test as none of them could find my cervix and just kept saying "I'm puzzled, it's just not there"



My sister went for her smear last week and the nurse couldn't find her cervix either.she has to go back to see a doctor in 2 weeks and if they cant find it she will have go to the hospital.they didn't give her an explanation as to why.

mine was hard to find cos my uterus was stuck in a funny position and it twisted it out of alignment, it might be something as simple as that....

hope it works out ok :)

Everything Joe said is spot on (wondering how he knows so much... but never mind). You can have a tilted cervix which wiould make it very hard to find and it is harder to find at some times in your cycle.
Don't worry about it.
See your GP for referal to the Jessops Assisted Conception Unit, tell them everything you told us and they should refer you immediately, which would give you an appointment in around 4 months ish.
I had a spot of trouble getting pregnant due to insulin resistance, which affects your ability to ovulate. It's relatively easily treated and it really could be that simple for you too.
They know their stuff at Jessops - thankfully!
Best of luck :)

Everything Joe said is spot on (wondering how he knows so much... but never mind). You can have a tilted cervix which wiould make it very hard to find and it is harder to find at some times in your cycle.
Don't worry about it.


Let's say I'm well read and when I did my first degree (Biochemistry) I did a lot of the same courses as first year medical students.

Uncle Joe is FAB :D

To put it bluntly, have you ever tried to find your cervix yourself?

When practicing natural family planning (which is a method that can be used to plan as well as avoid pregnancy), cervical changes is one of the 'symptoms' followed and charted throughout your cycle used to become aware of fertile phases.

If you'd like me to be blunter, do ask and I'll oblige ;)

.

Anyone who has used a cap can find their cervix easily with their finger. (TMI?) Perhaps you should have a root around! Maybe there will be instructions on some family planning sites.

Thanks everyone for your support and advice, it's much appreciated. I've managed to get a choose and book appointment to see the Gynae on the 16th April and will take things from there. Fingers (but not legs) crossed ;)

mine is hard to find i was getting a check up when i was 41 weeks pregnant and the midwife took about 30 minutes finding it? its always been the same puzzling. to try to get pregnant tilt your pelvis up eat healthy and excercise.

Hello!

I am 16 weeks pregnant, and this is my first pregnancy (well, the first that has progressed to this point). I seem to have quite a few pains in my lower abdomen region; I know they can be a sign of the uterus enlarging, but I sometimes worry.

What are they suppossed to feel like? Sometimes I get stabbing pains, others it feels more like a pulling pain, or even a contraction! They never last for too long, but they can be pretty painful. Is it normal?

I know I can ask my midwife, but I just wonder what you veteran mothers think.

i had these sort of pains around 14 weeks to the piont where one day i was stuck sat on the floor for about an hour.

the midwife told me it was nothing to worry about and that it was ligaments stretching.

mine only lasted for about a week, if your worried give your midwife a ring, its what they are there for.

love to ya at this great time, you will be feeling ya baby moving within the next few weeks...a great time in pregnany:)

lisa x

hi there, i am 11 weeks and have been getting these pains since about 6 weeks. i got quite worried at first as it seems some women have not really had anything they would call pain. some seem to get more stuff like this later on but a friend of mine had all her pains in the first trimester and then nothing. So, as this is my first pregnancy i am beginning to realise that there can be lots of different experiences! My midwife said it was perfectly normal to feel even cramping pain like when you have a period, this surprised me as i would have been worrid about that, as i have miscarried in the past. however, i am getting used to all my different pains, i have a stabbing one in the middle and a stretching one at the sides and now instead of worrying i just tell my self that my baby's growing...and keep on applying the stretch mark cream!!!

all the best xxx

i had these around 14 - 20 weeks, they just change into another ache or pain, im now 36 weeks and have been getting really strong braxton hicks for a few weeks now, thats when the fun really starts, i think she has engaged her head so it feels like she is going to drop out when i get i 'hicks' it usually just results in a little trump!

as long as you know what signs to look out for incase its something else you should be fine. good luck!!

I also had the pains in the earlier stages, nothing to worry about although I didn't know either at the time.
All's well that ends well though, I've now got two pains in the neck instead of pain in the bump :D

i think she has engaged her head so it feels like she is going to drop out when i get i 'hicks' it usually just results in a little trump!!
:hihi: LOL hilarious! being pregnant is so dignified. I have a really bad cold with aggressive sneezes this week. Have to make sure my bladder doesnt get full when sneezes at their worst :blush:

To answer the original question though, yes I have had all sorts of funny aches and pains. Was v worried in my first trimester about them & had an extra scan but it seems to have been nothing. It seems its not unusual. Just make sure your midwife knows about it. Hope it feels better soon :)

Sounds silly but this baby seems to move all the time and sometimes really hurts and makes me jump which panics the person next to me or makes me look silly out in public esp when people rush over. Im sort of used to it now, but does anyone else have this? so much for "flutters"!

Well i truely beleive he is trying to "get out" of my side and not in the direction he should be!!

It really is alien with this foot / leg stook out of my side - I have to push it back in some times as its hurting so much!!

Roll on 3 weeks when i can prod and pork him, lol

Amanda

completely normal, had 3 kids and they all used to have alien feet, your right it can be painful sometimes especially when its high up. AAhhh, the pleasures of being pregnant!

Yep, cosycub never stopped, either. Day and night, ten kicks in every ten minutes at least...but at least he was too big to roll.

Not long now and as Hanksy says, you can poke and prod right back, lol.

its so painful when they do that my little girl always used to be kicking me in the side like its been said sometimes you just have to give them a little push!

Both of my larvae moved in the other half and sometimes they hurt her. Its normal.

You could try playing calming music through some headphones on your tummy. Sometimes, though they just groove about even more. :hihi:

The funniest thing from an observer's point of view is when the baby gets hiccups in the womb and the whole bump moves with it. According to big sis it's a very strange feeling inside too.

It felt distictly like my organs where being stamped on last night! This one must be a boy, I am sure my little girl was never this violent (at least not till after she was born)

babybabychickens used to kick and headbutt me so much that the backs of my ribs bruised...i'd be lying if i said that it was comfortable. she's incredibly strong for a baby though (must get that from her rugby playing father), so i suspect that's how she was able to bruise my ribs.

The funniest thing from an observer's point of view is when the baby gets hiccups in the womb and the whole bump moves with it. According to big sis it's a very strange feeling inside too.

it is - it freaked me out at first but then i found it quite cute and comforting.

My little munchkin i swear was a karate expert, if i was lying close to my OH at night, he could feel the baba on his back running up and down!:rolleyes:

wonderful though, i used to lay for hour watching my bump move, and giving it a prod to make it move more. my eldest boy got hiccups alot he also jumped on my organs alot to(pushing up on my ribs while stamping on my bladder at the same time) but would give anything to get that feeling again

hahahaha I get this too, I'm just over 33 weeks pregnant and the little man inside me lives to make me jump.

just sat an exam today and my goodness would he not stop kicking! couldnt get comfortable an dhe kept me awake all night-im knacked!

Does anyone here have or has had Cervical Stenosis? I went for a gynae appointment last week following the GP not being able to find my cervix and it looks like I may have this from what was said by the consultant. I am booked in to have a closer examination under general anaesthetic in July, but just wondered if anyone had it and could tell me generally what the procedure might involve for treatment of this and if you have had a successful outcome. TIA

Please feel free to PM me if you'd rather not discuss here.

Hi everyone

Im 37 weeks pregers today and have just realised that i havnt been tested for Strep B. I have looked through all my books and cant find much info about it. Do women routinly get tested? Would ask my midwife but not due to see her till next week and to be honest have not got much faith in her as she hasnt been the best so far.

If any one could help that would be great

thanks

hey mel

i asked about group b strep when i had my first scan at jessops.
they told me they dont routinely test for it and if you want to be tested you have to pay for it to be done privately.

At the risk of sounding a bit dumb im going to ask.. what is strep b.

iv had 2 children and cant recall it...maybe its just my terrible memory..:loopy:

sarah xx

Hi
Its a virus that the most women will carry at some point without it affecting them, however during labout tit can be passed onto the baby and cause numberous problems. Its a reletivly new thing to test and ive just found out from a friend who had it that they dont routinely check for it.

Thanks for the replys, was so worried that the midwife had missed another set of tests!!!!

I know that the NHS is stretched to capacity and that midwifes in general do a fantastic job, its just that i did expect my prenatal care to be so much better then it actually is. Im so fortunate that ive been well and have not needed the extra care. Is this just the case in my area or do others 1st timers feel the same?

Thanks again:)

Oh yes i remember now..

thanks for clearing that up for me,still cant remember having it though.

sarah xx

Hi
Its a virus that the most women will carry at some point without it affecting them, however during labout tit can be passed onto the baby and cause numberous problems. Its a reletivly new thing to test and ive just found out from a friend who had it that they dont routinely check for it.

Thanks for the replys, was so worried that the midwife had missed another set of tests!!!!

I know that the NHS is stretched to capacity and that midwifes in general do a fantastic job, its just that i did expect my prenatal care to be so much better then it actually is. Im so fortunate that ive been well and have not needed the extra care. Is this just the case in my area or do others 1st timers feel the same?

Thanks again:)

I agree that it is clear that the midwives are far too stretched...so many mums and mums to be and so little time. I must have seen at least 5 while I was pregnant...which was a big issue in the end because without continuity no-one picked up on how big my baby was getting or acted on it when I started fretting. So it all ended up a little fraught at the end, lol.

There is a thread on here about having your say with the new training of midwives - though god knows we need MORE of them above all. I'll post a link here when I find it. If it's still on, you could go along and explain your feelings about your care while it's still frsh in your mind (i.e. still going on!)

EDIT: It happened already. But keep your eyes open there may be more.

they don't test for it unless you pay! the midwife i had wasn't the best either but like its been said so many mums and mums to be so little time !

Hi Mel1,

I run the Sheffield Maternity Forum. We are an independent voluntary group that collects womens views and opinions about their maternity care and then feeds back to the appropriate groups and committees to try to influence the planning and provision of services to make them more approriate for women.

We're always glad to hear about womens experiences (the good and the bad) so we can tell the health professionals what works and what doesn't.

It sounds like you needed more information to be able to make an informed choice about the strep b test. The Jessop Wing will be able to give you more information if you need it or you can pm me and I will do my best to find someone to help.

Please feel free to pm with your other concerns as well.

Rachel.

Hi everyone

Im 37 weeks pregers today and have just realised that i havnt been tested for Strep B. I have looked through all my books and cant find much info about it. Do women routinly get tested? Would ask my midwife but not due to see her till next week and to be honest have not got much faith in her as she hasnt been the best so far.

If any one could help that would be great

thanks



How is Strep B diagnosed?

Strep B testing is not routinely available on the NHS. A doctor can carry out a test if you ask, though they may not agree to it as the test available on the NHS, a high vaginal swab test gives false negative results up to 50% of the time when it should be positive. A more reliable test is the enrichment culture method (ECM) test which can be carried out at about 35-37 weeks of pregnancy.

The ECM test is recognized as optimal for detecting GBS by both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The ECM test is not available on the NHS. We will shortly be offering this test on our website, if you would like more information please contact us (http://www.homehealth-uk.com/docs/contact.htm).

How can I keep my baby safe from GBS?

However, if your baby is at risk, research shows that by giving drugs (antibiotics) through a vein from the start of your labour or from when your waters break (whichever comes first) until your baby is born can help prevent GBS infections in newborn babies in the majority of cases. You should ideally be given the antibiotics for at least 4hours prior to delivery where possible.

If your baby is at risk then once he/she is born he should be examined by a pediatrician immediately and if you didn’t receive antibiotics for more than 4 hours then the baby should be started on antibiotics until he’s given the all clear. If the baby shows any signs of GBS infection then antibiotics should be started immediately.

Caesarean sections are not recommended to prevent GBS infection.

GBS can also be passed from the hands so everyone should wash their hands when handling a newborn baby. The risk of a baby catching GBS decreases with age, GBS infection is rare after one month of age and virtually unknown after 3 months.

Hi

Thank you all for your replys, sorry if i sound as though im whinging a bit, but would like to let the forum know my opions. How do i get in touch?

Thank you

Hi

Thank you all for your replys, sorry if i sound as though im whinging a bit, but would like to let the forum know my opions. How do i get in touch?

Thank you

Click on contact us at the bottom of the page.:)

If I remember right - Jessops test the mum for Strep B if your waters break before the onset of labour.

Anyhow, I don't remember it being done, but when little one was about 2 days old someone told me that the Strep B test was positive, but as little one seemed ok they wouldn't bother doing anything but to keep and eye on him (?)

Are there any signs you may have strep b??

Ie, discharge, pains etc?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2091753,00.html

it's official, stress is bad for mother and child.

crikey, i almost fell off my chair out of surprise! still, i suppose it's nice to have scientific support.

As if just being pregnant wasn't stressful enough...now you have more reason to be stressed - because you're stressed.
But don't stress about being stressed, ladies, it's harmful.

Mmmmmm. Helpful.

My understanding about Strep B from having my first baby is that a midwife can make the decision to test you at home if there are worries in relation to Strep B. It is all about timing though as you may be tested two weeks before your due date and it be negative and then have contracted it before you deliver. My first midwife was EXCELLENT and after sharing my anxieties she just agreed to test me to put my mind at rest. She did this about 10 days before my due date. This was fortunatley negative and all was well. I'm due again in four weeks and have the same midwife - thank goodness, so hopefully we will do the same again. Wish all midwifes were as great as mine.

Really really dont stress about this article. We all know it is better to be healthy and calm when pregnant. However, this research is only identifying correlations in cortisol levels but not any impact on the actual development of the baby. Newspapers love to get headlines out of research evidence by translating it to maximum impact. The other study did highlight some seemingingly alarming developmental consequences, but again when read in detail from what I remember these were not related to 'stress' as perceived by the mother, but rather some very stressful life events/social circumstances. The problems with this is that as far as I am aware there is no direct evidence that the relationship is causal and there are likely to be a number of other factors which could tie the 2 together.

In short, I think we need to do all we can to look after ourselves but pregnancy can be such a stressful time for most, without getting stressed about being stressed. It needs to be kept in perspective :)

im not sure whether stress or feelings etc do pass to the unborn-i was miserable during my 1st pregnancy and he was the giggliest smiliest baby ever

hurrah for giggly smiley babies. i hope i have one like that :-)

I had a really stressful pregnancy, found out at 4 months that the Oh was seeing a few girls at the same time and i couldnt eat/sleep for weeks, anyway i sorted myself out and still had stressful time but i had a very happy content baby so i think its down to the individual:D

I am 34 weeks pregnant, my baby is breech & pressed right under my bust and ribs. in agony. & feel exhausted/shattered. and have braxton hicks.
We are having some building work done at our house at the mo.,, so we are living at my parents. but dont seem to get any time to relax/chill out. We feel we are running backwards & forewards. sleeping getting v. uncomfortable. all i want to do is get back home, which should hopefully be end of this weekend. but then there is a hell of a lot of cleaning to do. there is dust everywhere. no wonder i am stressed!!

Have you mentioned this to anyone? I really think you probably need a bit of help from family and friends - do they know how you feel or are you one of the ones who looks like they are coping all the time?
My girls were both breech from 24 weeks and stayed that way so I know how you feel, one was pressed up under my ribs and the other on my right side, I was enormous and we moved house at 34 weeks.
If you haven't spoken to anyone I hope you will. You need the rest and not too much physical hardship right now.
You can be sure that if the lack of rest and pain brought on early labour everyone would be saying they would have helped - tell them now and let them help, everyone loves to feel wanted/needed!

I did want to go to aquanatal tonight, but I dont get back til 8.45pm.ish. too late. so Ithink I am going to go back to my parents' & have a sleep/nap. they have just gone away today for a week. that should make me feel better I hope.... My hubby is cool, wants me to do that. have a sit down/sleep when i get home from work. but since being at my parents its been hard. but today I feel in agony, heartburn, digging in my ribs & back. cant wait to get home.

You poor thing, there is nothing I can do except offer you my sympathy - it must be awful honey xxxx Hope it gets better soon

lots of sympathy from me! i had a rotten pregnancy, complete with bruises on my ribs where she kept headbutting/kicking me. i completely understand about needing your own space, too...as you've said though, the work on your house should be done soon, so you can go back there, relax and do as much nesting as you need! don't worry, the upheaval will be over soon, although then you'll only have a few weeks before a different sort of upheaval starts....

in the mean time i reckon you need some self-time. i was going to suggest a lie-in, but the heartburn is probably making you too uncomfortable for taht. i hope the humid weather isn't too bad for you!

*hugs*

I am 34 weeks pregnant, my baby is breech & pressed right under my bust and ribs. in agony. & feel exhausted/shattered. and have braxton hicks.
We are having some building work done at our house at the mo.,, so we are living at my parents. but dont seem to get any time to relax/chill out. We feel we are running backwards & forewards. sleeping getting v. uncomfortable. all i want to do is get back home, which should hopefully be end of this weekend. but then there is a hell of a lot of cleaning to do. there is dust everywhere. no wonder i am stressed!!
you sound like me! im 35weeks and having extension and paving done too, but living in it or rather living in one bedroom, bathroom and half a kitchen its a nightmare. nesting i suppose they call it!
any chance you can have some U time? go to a spa, for a swim, for a massage-good one at ponds forge.
are you wedged on pillows at night time? sucks doesnt it? wish you all the best-and if you cant do the cleaning on ur return dont worry! bring cleaner in! or family! as long as baby room ok, stuff the rest!

If you are attending pregnancy yoga, have a chat with your teacher about postures that help to relieve the challenges that you and the baby are having at the moment. They may help.:cool:

Namaste,
LL
pregnantyogini@hotmail.com

Crikey I am doing so much sleeping!! I am 34 weeks. Last night after work I was so exhausted and uncomfortable I went to bed at 8pm and went to sleep. I woke up completely disorientated at 11pm when hubby came to bed, was quite restless for a while with grim indigestion and the confusion of having already been asleep, but then slept til 6am. Got up but found all the transport was out so I couldnt get out of Sheffield. Felt rough so went back to bed around 8.30am and slept til 11.30am! Been working (albeit rather unproductively this afternoon) and now at 5.15pm I feel like I need a nap! This is rather ridiculous as I have so much to do. Any other sleepy ladies out there?! :loopy:

Don't worry, it's normal I slept at every available moment when I was pregnant with mine.

Me too....I was almost asleep for as many hours as I was awake with my first baby in the last couple of month. However, I found it really frustrating with my 2nd pregnancy that I was as exhausted as the first pregnancy (if not more) but had to get up with my then 2 year old at 6 am every morning....

enjoy your first pregnancy.... and don't feel guilty for having the extra naps!!

:D

Me too, I have not had as much sleep since monsterbaby has arrived though, enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

im 36 n half weeks now n feel like i need a nap just to recover from getting out of bed!!! lol.

but i suppose we will need all the sleep we can get right now!

Yes, I agree with above posters, I slept whenever possible when I was expecting my two. You need those reserves for when babe arrives. Good luck!

I remember that tiredness and fatigue was the *only* pregnancy symptom I had when I was having Susannah....I think I slept for the entire 9 months except the last 10 days when i sanded the floorboards and painted the front room had a couple of days rest and then went into labour....

Almost week 41 now and I could sleep for England! I didn't realise just how exhausting pregnancy could be. The only other thing I seem to with my time is cook and eat!:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Hello,

I am six months pregnant, and I have been suffering with quite bad rib pain for the last month or so. I seem to feel it on my right side only, for some reason, and it is particularly bad in the evenings.

I know the reasons why the pain is there, but I just wonder if you have any tips apart from talking breaks from my desk, raise my arms, etc. I was wondering if those pregnancy belts which are supposed to be so good for back pain would also be helpful for rib pain.

Any ideas?

prob just the way the little darling is positioned-maybe eat lots and get fatter so you dont feel as boney~!

It helped me to sit on a gym ball as I had to sit straighter and couldn't lounge.

Also, yoga in pregnancy helped me and so did some of the exercises we did in the course during the week if the pain started again. It lasted longer than just that night too so that was a bonus.

It got better towards the end.

My baby has just turned breech a few weeks ago, head is under my ribs and I am also in complete agony, and also backache, heartburn.

I'm 39 weeks pregnant and suffered with the condition throughout my pregnancy and actually ended up in hospital in the first 3-4 months. Anyone else suffered with it?