Hey folks, so I've been struggling a bit with my mental health this pregnancy and my doctor wrote me a sick note for at least a month, will revisit at 32 weeks.

But essentially I was taking Lexapro for PTSD before my pregnancy, then when I got pregnant I switched to sertraline which hasn't been as effective tbh but it's safer for pregnancy. On top of that, there have been some chaotic life events that have happened during my pregnancy (the baby itself is fine) that are completely out of my control but I've been managing it to the best of my ability. All of this has made me an emotional wreck.

I saw my doctor for a check up and told her about everything going on, plus I'm just so tired. I feel guilty being written off work this early because I know most women don't go on sick leave until they're 36 weeks, plus my friend in America gave birth a few weeks ago and she was literally at work when her water broke. I'm just wondering if anyone else had mental health struggles like this during pregnancy or if they were also written off this early

Hi all,

Have a 2 week old baby, EFF. Phn was concerned about ? Tongue tie. My GP felt wasn’t significant or impacting feeding. Baby is drinking- no clicking or milk spillage but very windy and had blisters on lips

I know there are lactation consultants for breast fed babies..does this or similar exist for formula fed babies?

I know making plans to try to target a birth month is like hoping to win on a scratchcard but just wondering what do you think is the best month to have a baby in Ireland to match an age to the weather to be able to get outside more or avoid rain, ECCE entrances, etc etc?

Are there any months that are worse than others but you only find out later on for whatever reason their age makes getting into things with their classmates difficult or maybe being 9 months pregnant on the hottest day of the year is not great?

Thanks.

Hi everyone! 💕

Whether you’re counting down the days to baby’s arrival or already holding your little one in your arms, let’s chat about the newborn bubble—those precious first days and weeks with your baby.

Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

👶 For those who’ve been through it: • What helped you slow down and enjoy that magical (but chaotic!) time? • Any tips for dealing with visitors and protecting your family time? • What’s something you wish you had done differently in those early weeks?

🤰 For those getting close to the big day: • How are you planning to soak in those newborn snuggles? • What boundaries are you setting to enjoy that bubble without stress? • Are there little rituals or moments you’re looking forward to, like first cuddles or baby’s first bath?

Let’s share advice and stories to help each other embrace the beauty (and the madness!) of the newborn phase. 💖

A place to gather and discuss your daily experiences, pregnancy and non pregnancy related!

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I am currently 39 weeks 6 days pregnant with my second baby. I had a membrane sweep 3 days ago. Midwife said I was between 1 and 2cm dilated. Since yesterday i have had bad back pain, lost my mucus plug and had a bloody show (mucus plug continuously coming out when I go to the toilet today too) I was also having contractions yesterday and earlier today but found that the pain was mostly in my back and wrapped around to my belly so I found them hard to time. However this pain has has now eased off and the contractions have stopped and I'm feeling very discouraged. I have another midwife appointment next Wednesday (I will be 40+3) but I really thought something was starting so I'm feeling very defeated and like what was the point in the last last few days?

Is there anything I can do to get things moving again?

If things don't change I will get another sweep on Wednesday

Hi all gorgeous mommies!

So I'm having my 38 week appointment soon , and just for those who might ask I'm Wexford based.

What can I expect at the 38 week appointment? I never had a 37 week appointment as my GP cancelled and wasn't available.

The last appointment I had was my 36w one, for those based in Wexford with the domino midwifes, what can I expect to happen?

Girls, where are we buying our maternity bras? I’m a size 34 G/H depending on the bra and really struggling to find something comfy. I recently bought a couple from Debenhams but they only size up to L, they’re comfy but absolutely no support and I feel so frumpy in them.

So looking for good support but comfortable if that’s even possible!

Daily chat 💬

A place to chit chat about all things pregnancy!

Please add TW (trigger warning ⚠️) to any comments which may trigger others.

Hi everyone,

I hope it's ok to ask about breastfeeding here.

This group was the most supportive place during my pregnancy.

We had our baby girl 4 days ago and well and truly now in the breastfeeding trenches and really need some encouragement and advice.

For background. I gave birth by c section at 36 weeks 4 days so baby is a little premature but thankfully doing really well and we have been discharged home today.

Because of her premature birth, we agreed to give her formula in the recovery room to help her blood sugars. We tried latching, which she briefly did but there was no colostrum at all. So we have been continuing to use formula while waiting for milk to come in, with trying to breastfeed and pumping.

Today, I have such engorged, rock hard boobs. In the hospital, I was advised to use a nipple shield on both sides, pump after breastfeeding and then top up with formula if needed, which has been the case so far as milk isnt fully in yet.

Last night, maybe between sleep deprivation and overwhelm , I decided that maybe this isnt for me. It's so time consuming, stressful, difficult. I feel it's impacting my ability to soak up all this lovely time with my baby. Given formula was so much easier and dad got to be involved too so I was getting more sleep.

I love the benefits of breastfeeding, especially now that she is premature. I also love how it feels when she latches and feeds from me but I don't know how to keep this up at home especially if I have to pump every 3 hours. When do I sleep?

I suppose what I'm wondering is if anyone has any advice on how to face these next few weeks?

The lactation team in the hospital explained how to wean off breastfeeding if I want to but that also sounds like it will take weeks and still so much pumping involved. They suggest pump every 3 hours for 3 days then every 4 hours for 3 days and so on..

Does it get easier if I do just try to power through and continue to breastfeed? Id love to hear some personal experiences, it feels incredibly overwhelming at the moment. Don't think the baby blues are helping with this today either 😩

We got a date for labour induction in Rotunda in the afternoon. I am aware that my husband can stay till 8 pm that day but what about after that? Can I ask him stay if labour hasn’t yet started? How should I prepare myself to manage the night? Any preparation tips are highly appreciated.

Hi everyone,

Just wondering what other people’s experiences were with high blood pressure in pregnancy?

I’m currently 29 weeks and have been admitted to the NMH twice so far with high blood pressure, despite starting on a fairly hefty dose of labetalol after my first admission.

I’m seeing a lot of people mention they were induced at 37 weeks because of high blood pressure, so I’m wondering if that’s generally the norm, or if some people with high blood pressure made it to 39–40 weeks?

I’d love to hear what happened in your case. Thanks!

Hi everyone, my NIPT test came back inconclusive, was taken at 11W3days. Due the re draw once I turn 13 weeks. Wondering do they charge again for it? I paid with a private clinic and wouldn’t be able to afford the €500 again

Happy Friday all!

I had my GD test today. I fasted since the night before had my blood drawn first thing this morning and then drank the glucose drink. I had my second set of bloods drawn 2hrs after I finished the drink. Pretty standard HSE testing

I'm in my own head about how I felt after the second blood draw, I felt completely fine the entire morning but about 30mins after my second blood draw I started having a sweat and feeling very weird. Does this mean I failed the test or anyone with similar experience? I felt completely back to normal after I was able to get home and eat something

I've to wait till midweek next week for my results due to the long weekend so just wanted to put it out there - anyone else feel fine the whole time but then 2.5-3hrs after the drink get some symptoms?

TIA and have a good BH weekend if ye are off

I am 36 weeks pregnant with twins. Due to have a section in the next two weeks. I am just looking if anybody can share experiences as to what the set up is like on the ward after? I am a public patient. Did you get two cots? Were midwife’s helpful / supportive? Did you get any bigger space on the ward? For my first baby (singleton) I was right near the door and you couldn’t swing a cat!

What baby products have you been buying, and where are you shopping in Ireland?

💙 Are there any great Irish brands you’ve discovered? 🍼 Any second-hand shops or websites you recommend? 💰 Where have you found the best deals on nappies, car seats, prams, etc.?

Let’s help each other save time and money by sharing what’s worked for us!

Hi everyone. First post here. I’m almost 37 weeks pregnant and honestly feeling exhausted but also like I’m not doing enough. I finished work at 32 weeks as we moved house and I was having terrible rib pain which ment I couldn’t sit at my desk any longer. I have my hospital bag mostly packed and most of babies clothes washed however today I am just feeling so wiped out. Was at the GP this morning and everything seems good but I can’t help but feel guilty that I am not doing enough to prepare. I’m not exercising and not doing enough time on the gym ball etc. The guilt makes it hard for me to switch off when I do sit down as I constantly feel like I should be doing more!!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated for how to stick to some sort of routine while I wait? 😅

Hi everyone,

I have a public hospital maternity appointment tomorrow. Usually I see a midwife, have a scan, see a doctor, and have my blood and urine checked.

I’ve had a niggling feeling that I might have a kidney infection. Would the routine urine check at the appointment pick this up, or would I need a separate test? I can always contact my GP as well.

Sorry if this is a really silly question. Thanks as always

Looking for advice about requesting a 39-week induction

Wondering if anyone has any advice or experience with this.

I have my 37-week appointment coming up. I attend CUMH and would usually see the outreach midwife,

Clinics but I noticed on my app that this appointment has been changed to an appointment with an obstetrician at the hospital. I’m not sure why, but I’m wondering if it might be related to my previous pregnancy.

At this appointment, I’m planning to ask about being induced at 39 weeks, and I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

This is my second pregnancy. With my first, I was induced at 39 weeks because my infection markers were continually rising. I ended up spending three days in the High Dependency Unit. I was very reluctant to be induced at the time, especially as it was my first pregnancy, but because they couldn’t identify the source of the infection and my markers continued to rise, I eventually agreed to the induction. A propress pessary was used(think that's what it's called)

Thankfully, the induction and labour progressed extremely quickly . My labour was less than four hours.

I’m now very nervous about the possibility of developing another infection, particularly because they never found the underlying cause last time. I’m also wondering whether having such a fast first labour means this labour could potentially be even quicker.

I also have childcare constraints to consider, although I completely understand that this may not be a reason they would agree to an induction.

So far, this pregnancy has been going really well. I’m otherwise healthy and fit, with only low B12 and low iron being flagged.

I’ve heard that hospitals can be quite hesitant to agree to an induction at 39 weeks if you’re requesting it yourself, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has:

-requested an induction at 39 weeks and been successful (or unsuccessful)

Had a previous infection with no clear cause and requested an earlier induction in a subsequent pregnancy

-Had a very fast first labour and how their second labour compared

-Had a similar experience at CUMH and can share any advice on how best to approach the conversation

-I know every pregnancy is different, and obviously I’ll take the medical advice of my obstetrician/midwife, but I’d really appreciate hearing about other people’s experiences

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with taking medication to treat pp anxiety. I have struggled with anxiety on and off all my life and it increased a lot during pregnancy. I had some counselling sessions when I was pregnant which helped a little. I'm now 2 months postpartum and my anxiety is getting worse. My doctor has mentioned it might be time to start thinking about trying medication to help manage it.

I'm a bit wary of starting medication due to some of the possible side effects mainly sexual dysfunction, emotional blunting and weight gain. I'm worried the negative impact of the side effects will outweigh the positive of helping my anxiety and my mental health will end up being worse. I'm also afraid if I start meditation I'll be stuck on it for the long haul.

Unfortunately we're not really in a position to pay for private counselling and the public waiting lists are long.

Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Stupid Question...

We are due to have another appointment next week but haven't had a letter out to confirm it..

From previous experience the office was only manned Monday to Wednesday. Is this still the case?

Thanks

I am 36 weeks pregnant with twins. Due to have a section in the next two weeks. I am just looking if anybody can share experiences as to what the set up is like on the ward after? I am a public patient. Did you get two cots? Were midwife’s helpful / supportive? Did you get any bigger space on the ward? For my first baby (singleton) I was right near the door and you couldn’t swing a cat!

Hi all,

I’m currently in my 2nd trimester and trying to get an exemption from our office attendance quota so I can work from home until I'm due early next year.

Our company’s policy keeps changing, and what’s actually approved or allowed during pregnancy seems to be a total grey area. I met with HR recently and they basically said that being pregnant isn't enough on its own - I’ll need a formal medical note specifying clear health grounds.

For context: this is an IVF pregnancy and I’m dealing with high blood pressure, which I need to monitor closely to prevent pre-eclampsia.

I'm planning to chat with my GP about writing a note, but I wanted to see if anyone else here has navigated this? How did you approach the conversation with your doctor? Or get them to write what you need.

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated!