August 2011 differs.......eating, puking and weeing our way into the 2nd trimester

[Hersetta]

New home for us ladies!!

NHS in England is now supposed to be offering Nuchal tests as standard (since December according to my midwife). In my previous pregnancies I've just had the bloods at 16 weeks, so this is all new to me too!

ooh it's so exciting to read about everyone's scans!!!

Don't suppose anyone has any experience of the QE2 at Welwyn Garden City? Long shot.

I'm still counting down the days. Very few clothes (bottom halves anyway) that actually fit comfortably now and my swimming costume is a whole hilarious other story. I think I owe it to the swimming community round here to buy a maternity costume / bigger size to contain my (.)(.) before the inevitable happens .

Must get back to eating ...

I asked about the Nuchal, but apparently they don't do that here (South Wales), only the bloods at 16-18 weeks :)

Oh, I hadn't reached the last post sorry.

I am definitely having a downs test as part of the nuchal scan next week, as my MW asked me to consider whether I actually want to know the results.

Hi All.

Annie that is so rotten. They are extremely painful, really horrible. I would tuck yourself up in front of cruddy TV. Hope it lets you get some sleep .

Rehune defo go to the EPU. As someone said earlier, the baby is so safely tucked away at the moment, but it would just be so reassuring for you and there is no point stressing for a moment longer than necessary if there is a way of putting your mind at rest. At our EPU they actually call it a 'reassurance scan', so that is obviously what it is there for.

RugbyWidow I have been meaning to get a new swimming costume since I was pregnant with DS. It is a size too small when I am NOT pregnant, so now I look like a fat penguin with boobage. I managed to use it for 9 months with DS, though it was indecent by the end.

Had bloods to day for the combined test. Took bloomin hours and DS was hot, tired, hungry and yelly so it was all a bit of a mare.

I had the combined test (both nuchal fold and blood test) at both my NHS hospital (the Rosie in Cambridge) and also paid to go private at the FMC as they simply are the best in that area.

With my last pregnancy my NHS trust didn't offer the Nuchal fold test - just the bllod test at 16 weeks. Now however they offer the proper 'combined test' so things change and it is wildly different from trust to trust. The blood test taken measures your hCG and PAPP-A hormones as too high a reading of HCG and/or a low reading of PAPP-A could indicate problems. Therefore having the combined tests just gives a slightly more accurate reflection of the risk factor.

if it is any help I though and I thought we would definitely be having a CVS (our next door neighbours had an undiagnosed downs baby and I was convinced my risk would be high as I am 40 and overweight). However both by Nuchal and bloods results were very good and I was given a maternal age of 15! SO we dedcided not to proceed with the CVS as the professor who invented the Nuchal test told us that for my age my results were remarkable.

I agree with Gaga and that forewarned is forearmed. If you get good reults then you can relax and enjoy your pregnancy, if not then you can decide if you want further tests, but at least you are then in a position to make a more informed decision.If I didn't have the tests I would worry about things the whole pregnancy which would be more stressful than having the tests themselves. Everyone is different though and you must all make decisions that you are comfortable with.

Phew that was a long one for me!!

For those getting swimsuits I can highly recommend a tankini rather than swimming costume. I gave birth in my tankini top both times (once in water, once on land) and it was wonderful - all the freedom and movement of nakedness without actually being naked. And the blood rinses out really easily

The triple test is becoming standard here for anyone who's 16 weeks after 1st April. We've opted out all three times and similarly have never found out the sex of our DCs before the birth. We're of the 'ignorance is bliss' camp, and will take what we get. But I definitely understand the 'forewarned is forearmed' approach too, and I think perhaps if the triple test was both standard and free then we'd prob not opt out.

Day 1 of phoning to book my scan.
No attempts: countless
No times phone was engaged: millions
No times phone rang: 5
No times it rang then went to the automatic message: 5

Roll on tomorrow, I'm gonna wear out that redial button!

Thanks for all the sympathies everyone. DH is back late tomorrow so will get some hugs then, currently en route to a friends house where they are making me dinner and queueing up some cruddy TV (the ultimate cake-off anyone??!) no work for me tomorrow - I probably could manage it in normal circumstances but being pregnant and completely emotionally (and physically!!) drained means I'm keeping a low profile for another day.

Thinking of you rehune honey.

KTisPG If it's any consolation, someone I manage at work is pregnant, we don't have automatic maternity cover for her as there's no money / it was never budgeted for and we are panicking about how we are going to cover the post! We are going to have to make do with covering the post with existing staff, at least for a while but we are not happy about it and it doesn't mean the role isn't needed. Also, as others have said, there is more protection for pregnant women than any other section of the work force so you shouldn't worry. Hope your manager's business case works!

wheresmytractor really glad your DH has told work now, I hope that means he's turning a corner and gets the support he needs. Still here if you want to chat any time.

MrsStevo I watched OBEM, it's my must watch every week now! I actually thought that couple were quite sweet - don't think she was playing to cameras so much as trying to keep calm when she was nervous about them trying to turn the baby. But maybe my hormones were making me soppy at the time!!

neverlookback hope your DH gets more excited soon, that does sound v frustrating! Hope the spd doesn't get too bad :/

Rehune That sounds v scary, poor you. Did you get a scan done? Really hope all is OK - baby should be well protected in there.

Anu3 I'm in the same position, my first baby and noone in my immediate circle of friends has had a baby - it's quite scary! I have many pregnancy books and look at the internet a lot, thank heaven for Mumnet! I think a lot of us on this thread have the tendency to worry about things, I guess it's natural, esp for your first. I had my NT done yesterday, they said they'd ring today if high risk, send a letter if low risk, haven't heard so fingers crossed it's low risk! Am jealous re your morning sickness, mine went for a bit but has now come back with a vengeance

Mrs Stevo My DH and I decided if it was high risk we'd rather know, so we could get our heads round the possibility and decide what we would do / read up on it etc. We wouldn't have amnio / CVS though, because of the miscarriage risk. Everyone's different though. Good luck and FX whatever you decide.

Annie456 that sounds horrid, poor you. Hope you are feeling better now, and got some TLC at your friend's. hugs You definitely sound like you deserve another day off work.

I had a letter a letter today confirming that I haven't got sphyllis, hurray,

Thanks Cappucino. I've actually just bought a swimming costume online, but it's a size big (as that's what was in the sale) so I will more than likely end up sending it back and buying a tankini - sounds like a very good idea!

ohanotherone how encouraging!!

i got a bikini last time from on line as i went on a hen do to tenerife at 28 weeks. We have a pool on the estate where we live so i use the pool lots. My dd takes me swimming at least twice a week. Also for those of you who still work out aqua aerobics is good in the last few weeks when you can.t do the gym anymore. I'm going to go for a run later, been going the gym more than out running recently and i don.t want to get out of the running habit. So i'm challenging my mummy mates to do the race for life with me. As i'm the only pregnant one and the only one i think it will be fair. Does anyone know when it is?

klou I am in South Wales as well and although the NHS doesn't do the nuchal here, I had it done privately at Spire Hospital in Cardiff. The clinic is called Innermost Secrets and they were wonderful, though not very cheap.

Depends where you are, MrsVidic. They are all over the country and held most weekends I think. Have a look here. Don't get too competitive with it - try and keep heartbeat reasonable. I nearly killed myself last one I did a month after my marathon. Came third though!

I have got a maternity tankini from last time and just got another one as we are going to Crete in May for two weeks so need a couple at least. The new one is nice actually - lots of hidden support - got it in the JoJoMamanBebe sale for a tenner!

I enjoyed aqua aerobics last time too. But not going til my bump is bigger!

Am statring to find carrying my two year old up and down stairs really hard work . And he demands to be carried. Something else to work on. However, I have now managed to wean him - finally! Rather happy about that

Morning ladies. I've not been on as I've had busy couple of days... and it would seem you lot have too eh??

Ruhune I was in a car crash a few days after I found out I was up the duff, phoned my gp and my midwife wasnt in so they gave me the number for the EPU and in some areas you can self refer there. They saw me the very next day, gave me a scan, tested my wee and all was fine... so I suggest if you havent you do that chicky.

MrS I too was wound up by 'singing lady' on OBEM. She did my bloody head in, and her poor husband I couldnt way up if all this stuff he was backward and forward for was in the car or he was going home for it. If she had said to another randomer passing in the hall "I could have had something to eat then couldnt I??" I think my remote would have gone through the tele. And I'm not even going to mention the singing and how her grandparents were the best composers every or whatever she was bleeting on about. But the other girl was amazing!! And her mum was brilliant too wasnt she?? She just got stuck in and was cleaning her up, and it was never a problem to her. And the male midwife was really good too... I'd not mind a male midwife ever!!

I had all the nuchal scans and bloods. Think I said it before on the older post but had this been my first baby I dont think I would have had them... or maybe these but no further tests. But as its my third child I have two others to think about and how having a Downs baby would affect them as well as me (I'm a single parent). I got my results back a few weeks ago - low risk 1 in 8900 so alls good as it goes. But had it come back a high risk I really cant say what decision I would have made... its a really tough one, that I'm glad I'm not having to make.

Will have a look at that wishwales ta :)

Wow, I'm struggling to keep up here!

We had our Nuchal scans and bloods and it came back far lower than our other two (neither of them was high btw) so its nice to know. Not sure what I would do if it had come back high risk mind you!

One effect of this pg seems to be that I'm sleeping far more heavily at night - I don't wake up when ds does, so poor dh is having to deal with him 4-5 times in the night. Unfortunately I'm still not feeling very rested when I wake up in the mornings

Anyone decided whether they are going to find out the sex of their baby yet? We didn't for our other two, and I'm not really fussed this time, but dh has always been keen, so I reckon he should get his way this time . However I don't want to tell anyone, as its not 100% accurate from a scan, and whilst I wouldn't be bothered if we were told one thing and got another, I could see it being really confusing and possibly upsetting for our dc. So we will be keeping it to ourselves to avoid any accidental spilling of the beans!

I'm defo finding out what I'm having if they can tell me!! Like I say I'm a single parent so it will be loads easier for me to sort out and budget if I know... am excited and counting down the days/sleeps haha

We're not finding out. I wanted to know, but DH doesn't and most of the people we've told have said don't especially for our first as it's one of life's little surprises :)
DH cousin found out her 2nd was a boy (1st was a girl) so she knew if she had to prepare for a different sex, but even she told us she regrets finding out even though it was for financial reasons. So we're not finding out and going to have the whole 'It's a girl/it's a boy' thing

Im not sure if i will find out this time... last time i was convinced it was a girl, so when i found out it was a boy i was shocked! It was great for me cos it gave me time to bond and i wasnt in shock when he arrived!

Since the MC i dont care what i am having this time.. as long as we get there. Bit of a sore subject in my house as Grandma has 3 grandsons and wants a GDaughter.... she will get what she is given

Lol nickster she defo will!

I don't care what we're having either, both sexes bring you joy in different ways. I have bought a load of stuff already for when he/she gets here, albeit in white, cream or beige, and the nursery will be Winnie the Pooh, but as soon as little one is born, the colours are coming!

We won't be finding out either, we love the surprise at birth. I don't go in for the whole getting everything/decking out the nursery in blue or pink from day one, they look lovely in white and cream, and people buy appropriate clothes as presents too. Plenty of time for clothes shopping afterwards!

I have a friend who found out with her second at 20 weeks and was so disappointed because it was the same sex as she'd already got. I thought that was a shame as I think she'd have found it harder to have been disappointed if she'd found out at the very moment she held her baby in her arms.

oops just deleted my first msg.

just got back from our 2nd 12 week scan ;) Am now officially 12+4, due 14th, so only been put back 11 days :D (will go change dates list asap)

bean was wriggling about, waving-lovely!

dr was much nicer this time and I've been put down as low risk for birth. won't be seeing him til 34 weeks-midwives until then.

had my bloods for downs done today too(not nuchal so another blood test in 3 weeks)

Hey all.
Thankyou for the congrats and cheers, it still doesn't seem real.

Ruhune how are you feeling?
Did you get yourself to the EPU?

Annie
How you doing today?
Hope your friends cheered you up.

How's the redial finger Carrie any joy?
Nicks I bought some mat clothes yesterday..... leggings.
( not the best idea with my tree trunk legs)
and a lavverly top from Next.
I also had to buy some army boots too.
Went to the pub thinkin' I was all that and a bag 'a' chips!
I could breathe so I actually don't care what the leggings looked like!

Arrrggh, that woman on OBEM.
I was shouting STOP IT!!! at the telly box near enough every time she opened her gob.
He We wants it to be a suprise too,
I am the most impatient person in the world but I really want that moment of it's a ......
in fact I would like DP to tell me.
I may be living in a dream world and realise that my birth plan really should be more detailed than instructing the MW to keep shhtum at the precise moment
Just think it'd be nice.

Got my booking in app through, it will be when I'm nearly 13 weeks.
Stamping my feet I may not get my 12 week scan until 14-15 weeks and that will drive me crayzee.
Has any one else had the booking in and then a scan very soon after or will it take a while to go through the system.
I still haven't a clue what to do about tests, wad of leaflets came with the hospital form but TBH I'm not able to take a lot in at the moment.
I'll re read all your posts and discuss with DP.