Pregnancy and Baby Advice Thread: From Conception to Birth, and Beyond!

[Sammielouise071]

Pregnancy and Baby Advice Thread: Brands, Feeding, Nursery, Bathing, Everything!

Thanks girls I am working today and tomorrow and then have The weekend off so hopefully will be able to relax a bit x

 

[Cai]

Advice - get the white noise app downloaded as I think it bloody works!! Lol.

Stevie wasn't happy and I needed to get dressed (had already been showered so wet and cold! I couldn't wait any longer) had tried to settle him but whenever I put him down he cried...put the white noise on, waited a min or so, put him down as he is happy to just lay there - he is almost asleep!!

I just downloaded a free one which is fine! Wish if use it before. Might use it tonight if he screams again!! (That really will test it ha ha) xx

 

[MrsLmc]

Aww Sammie glad everything is okay. If its any help I bleed the whole way through with my son and he is one healthy youngfella

Girls my hips are in agony. It feels like really really bad cramp in my hips radiating down to my knees. Looked it up and it sounds like PGP. I can't move from the sofa and even here it is really really painful. I hope this isn't gonna be ongoing now till baby comes. Anyone else had this and had it go away???

 

[Dubchick81]

Is PGP the same as SPD??? IF yes, Missy's our expert.. Hope you find something to ease it.. Doesn't sound nice at all.. Especially with 2 littluns and an almost fully baked bun in the oven!!!

 

[MrsLmc]

Yeah its similiar to SPD I think. I can't stand this feeling at least with labour you know there is an end to the pain but I can't get any relief from this. I've taken paracetamol and I'm gonna run the bath at 1.30p.m. Hubby is coming home for lunch so I know he'll be there to watch the kids and possibly help me out of the bath after. Sarah any advice. I've tried heat compression, sitting, standing walking slowly around, kneeling. I can't go lay down, my son won't be impressed!

 

[sarah_lou1981]

So glad everything was ok at the hospital. I've known people who have bled for no apparent reason during pregnancy but it must be terrifying when it happens. I constantly knicker check even now at 35 weeks!! Make sure you do chill out as much as you can hun xxx

 

[Susiew2001]

Pregnancy and Baby Advice Thread: Brands, Feeding, Nursery, Bathing, Everything!

Glad all is well Sammie, everyone here was right, any probs/concerns esp where bleeding is concerned off to Hosp!

Re PGP hun, yes that is the same as SPD but I'm not sure that's what you've got...might be sciatica...does it go down the backs of your legs? Might be a combo! How much longer to go? Sounds silly I know but sometimes if you can get moving it eases it a bit-it's the getting going that's the hard bit! Xx

 

[MrsLmc]

Glad all is well Sammie, everyone here was right, any probs/concerns esp where bleeding is concerned off to Hosp!

Re PGP hun, yes that is the same as SPD but I'm not sure that's what you've got...might be sciatica...does it go down the backs of your legs? Might be a combo! How much longer to go? Sounds silly I know but sometimes if you can get moving it eases it a bit-it's the getting going that's the hard bit! Xx

It is really concentrated in my hips, feels like a build up of lactic acid if that makes sense, like they are cramping up. It kinda radiates down the side of my hips and legs to my knees. My legs are really weak feeling. I am trying to do a little but its very painful to move. I'm sitting on my ball now bouncing over and back and it seems to be helping a little. I've drank about a litre of water incase it is cramp. There is no pain in my back though thats why I counted out sciatica, but you could very well be right. I'm 37+5 weeks with my third! But this is the longest I've been pregnant (son born at 36, daughter at 37, both appeared very premature). Thanks Susie. Laura x

 

[missy1978]

It is really concentrated in my hips, feels like a build up of lactic acid if that makes sense, like they are cramping up. It kinda radiates down the side of my hips and legs to my knees. My legs are really weak feeling. I am trying to do a little but its very painful to move. I'm sitting on my ball now bouncing over and back and it seems to be helping a little. I've drank about a litre of water incase it is cramp. There is no pain in my back though thats why I counted out sciatica, but you could very well be right. I'm 37+5 weeks with my third! But this is the longest I've been pregnant (son born at 36, daughter at 37, both appeared very premature). Thanks Susie. Laura x

PGP and SPD are the same thing - it's called PGP by my physio and that's the proper terms now apparently but everyone else calls it SPD Iol! It can give you pain similar to sciatica but which isn't actually sciatica, down the backs and sides of your legs kinda thing? I got told that sciatica is over diagnosed in pregnancy and most people who think they have sciatica when they're pregnant actually have PGP/SPD. It could be that or it could be late pregnancy niggles but it sounds like PGP from what you've said.

I get the pain in the front too but also the pain in my hips, I started with the sciatica pain first and then the other pain started later. When it's bad I feel like I've pulled every muscle in my bum and my hips feel stuck. I sometimes feel them dropping when I walk too, like your leg would collapse if you went down a step or something. I nearly have gone down steps on a few occasions, it's bloody scary.

Best thing I find for it is rest on the softest surface you can find (I find my bed aggregates it more than my sofa oddly and I get my best sleep on my sofa), the bouncy ball helps too and paracetamol. I find kneeling and then letting my legs fall to the side the most comfy sitting position, it's just getting into that position that's hard! Once I'm there I have little or no pain until I need to move so try different ways of sitting. Ooh and try to keep your knees together when you do anything like getting out of bed, getting out of a car, etc. Don't take all your weight on one leg if you can get away with it, even when putting shoes or clothes on make sure you're sitting down and make sure you have a rail for going up and down stairs. I hope you can get some relief from it - it's a horrible, horrible pain. Only thing I can say is that you get good and bad days with it, well I do anyway, and on good days it is manageable and you can do stuff. Just don't overdo it! It does ease a bit when you get going but getting going is tough! When I first stand up I have to stand for a minute before I move, or it's too painful to walk. It still hurts when I walk but less than that initial standing up does.

Is there anyone you can see for some help with it if it is PGP? I have crutches and a belt which help me tonnes. I know you've only a few weeks left but as that you have your kids to look after your situation is different to mine. xxx

 

[Susiew2001]

Pregnancy and Baby Advice Thread: Brands, Feeding, Nursery, Bathing, Everything!

Might be SPD/PGP then hun, though it tends to be more around your pubic bone and then radiates elsewhere as your pelvis is unstable. Or it could just be trapped nerves if baby is lying funny.
Fingers crossed this little one makes an appearance soon-that might be part of the problem, baby getting bigger than your others, puts pressure in new places so you've never had it before! Have you tried pain relief? Xx

 

[JoeyJoJo]

Sammie - Really happy to hear that everything is fine You deffo did the best thing by having it checked out...luckily I havnt had any signs of blood whatsoever in this pregnancy...i think if i did I would freak out considering my history. Make sure you get plenty of rest as the doctor said!! xx

Cai - lol Thats funny! You'll have to update us once you've used it a few times and if it continues to work I will deffo download it xx

Mrs Lmc - I cant really give any advice on PGP/SPD as I havnt experienced it but I hope its just a general pain (maybe baby in funny position) and goes away quickly with some rest xx

 

[JoeyJoJo]

Re the 'line on the belly' discussion - I dont have it..i keep asking hubby to check for me and he says nothing is there.....just a cr@p load of stretch marks

Not too fussed about the stretch marks though...from what I hear its hereditary anyways and if you're gunna get them then creams arent going to stop them. I was too ill for the first three months to put cream/bio oil on my belly and then I started doing it but got bored/lazy with it after a few weeks and havnt done it since lol Maybe i'll see if I can take a nakie bump photo from the front and see if it shows all my stretch marks haha

 

[sarah_lou1981]

Girls, after reading it in another thread or two does anyone know anything about Tax Credits? I've never looked into them because I didn't think we'd be entitled to anything. How does it work? I get 90% pay for 6 weeks then 12 weeks at half pay topped up by statutory maternity then only statutory for the rest of the time. Do they take into account my official salary or what I'll be earning on maternity? I haven't a clue. Tom's wage is pants basic but then he does well with commission etc so do they take that into account? I've never had to claim anything but if its there then it's worth a look. I know there are calculators on the direct gov website etc but not sure how to do it. It's nailed on we wont get anything but worth an ask I suppose.

 

[missy1978]

Girls, after reading it in another thread or two does anyone know anything about Tax Credits? I've never looked into them because I didn't think we'd be entitled to anything. How does it work? I get 90% pay for 6 weeks then 12 weeks at half pay topped up by statutory maternity then only statutory for the rest of the time. Do they take into account my official salary or what I'll be earning on maternity? I haven't a clue. Tom's wage is pants basic but then he does well with commission etc so do they take that into account? I've never had to claim anything but if its there then it's worth a look. I know there are calculators on the direct gov website etc but not sure how to do it. It's nailed on we wont get anything but worth an ask I suppose.

There's a thread in the families section under stickies and I got some good info there... it was called 'how do people survive on SMP?' or something like that?

I don't quite understand how it works but gonna force myself to have a look this afternoon. I have friends who earn a lot more than me and Colin who are entitled to tax credits so you may well be, although they would def take Tom's commission into consideration. We had a girl who used to refuse bonuses at lush because it mucked up her tax credit payments and it was easier not to accept the bonus.

Will report back when I've had a look...

 

[Dubchick81]

So glad everything was ok at the hospital. I've known people who have bled for no apparent reason during pregnancy but it must be terrifying when it happens. I constantly knicker check even now at 35 weeks!! Make sure you do chill out as much as you can hun xxx

Glad I'm not the only one still knicker checking... LOL

Re the 'line on the belly' discussion - I dont have it..i keep asking hubby to check for me and he says nothing is there.....just a cr@p load of stretch marks

Not too fussed about the stretch marks though...from what I hear its hereditary anyways and if you're gunna get them then creams arent going to stop them. I was too ill for the first three months to put cream/bio oil on my belly and then I started doing it but got bored/lazy with it after a few weeks and havnt done it since lol Maybe i'll see if I can take a nakie bump photo from the front and see if it shows all my stretch marks haha

Yea.. Apparently if you're going to, you'll get them regardless of what lotions or potions you use... I still moisturise regularly though purely to stop the stretchy belly itch that comes with it!!!

 

[missy1978]

There's a thread in the families section under stickies and I got some good info there... it was called 'how do people survive on SMP?' or something like that? I don't quite understand how it works but gonna force myself to have a look this afternoon. I have friends who earn a lot more than me and Colin who are entitled to tax credits so you may well be, although they would def take Tom's commission into consideration. We had a girl who used to refuse bonuses at lush because it mucked up her tax credit payments and it was easier not to accept the bonus. Will report back when I've had a look...

Ooh and I just found this number in the back of my mat notes - national tax credits helpline apparently? 0845 300 3900 xxx

 

[sarah_lou1981]

There's a thread in the families section under stickies and I got some good info there... it was called 'how do people survive on SMP?' or something like that?

I don't quite understand how it works but gonna force myself to have a look this afternoon. I have friends who earn a lot more than me and Colin who are entitled to tax credits so you may well be, although they would def take Tom's commission into consideration. We had a girl who used to refuse bonuses at lush because it mucked up her tax credit payments and it was easier not to accept the bonus.

Will report back when I've had a look...

Ooh I'll scoot on over and have a look. I think Tom's commission will be our problem. He's on minimum wage basic but this month and last he's had over £800 in commission before tax, which I know is brilliant but we cant guarantee it every month, it depends on how many customers go into his shop!! If we knew he was getting that every month then we'd be absolutely fine but if he just has a basic month then we'd be skint!xx

 

[missy1978]

Ooh I'll scoot on over and have a look. I think Tom's commission will be our problem. He's on minimum wage basic but this month and last he's had over £800 in commission before tax, which I know is brilliant but we cant guarantee it every month, it depends on how many customers go into his shop!! If we knew he was getting that every month then we'd be absolutely fine but if he just has a basic month then we'd be skint!xx

Wow, that's some serious commission - I'd love to get Colin a job like that but he hates sales and he'd be miserable as sin. Plus when you do Pply for benefits it's hard to know what you actually earn, last thing you want is an overpayment bill although an underpayment award would be quite nice! They go last years earnings I think? Which will be annoying for me as I had two different jobs and three different rates of pay last year! :/

 

[sarah_lou1981]

Wow, that's some serious commission - I'd love to get Colin a job like that but he hates sales and he'd be miserable as sin. Plus when you do Pply for benefits it's hard to know what you actually earn, last thing you want is an overpayment bill although an underpayment award would be quite nice! They go last years earnings I think? Which will be annoying for me as I had two different jobs and three different rates of pay last year! :/

Yeah it can be fab commission but all it takes is a rubbish month and he's back to minimum wage. He never wanted to go into that kind of sales. He's always done retail but management. When JJB went bankrupt last year he was management and on a normal wage but he just took the job at Bensons (beds) so we had a regular income. Then we decide he'd be better off staying there for 6 months or so THEN we got pregnant so he needed to stay there for paternity benefits etc. Plus it is a really good company, they've been brilliant with him with all the hospital appointments etc. He's not missed any, during ttc and pregnancy. Now he needs to stay there so we at least know he's got a regular income and when I go back he'll look for a management job.
Money is a bloody nightmare!!!xx

 

[pjallen1982]

anyone else had pains down below, maybe even in your groin, when they stand up. It's mainly on my left inside leg side, but ouch!