We're now halfway and it's PMA all the way - Nov 2011

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Halfway there now ladies. on the countdown.

I am feeling a little bit sorry for myself......just a little bit though! But I caught a cold and cough about a fortnight ago, and I just can't shake it off. If I wasn't pg I would frighten the living daylights out of it with a hot whiskey made with honey, lemon and the cheapest nastiest whiskey in the shop, the sort that burns the inside of your nose when you sniff it. No virus has ever been able to withstand it! But instead it's been two weeks of relentless sneezing and coughing, and then that makes me ache all over. Also, have lost my sense of smell, so nothing tastes of much, and as someone who loves cooking (and eating!) that is really frustrating. Then, to top it all off, I have had stomach cramps and sometimes diarohhea (hmm, not sure about that spelling...) on and off for the past few days and I don't seem to be able to shake that off either, and I can't find anything that you can take to ease it during pg.

My PMA though is that I have only been back to work for two days since I got back from hols, and I am off for the next two days, as there are two public holidays now and my office is closed, in fact the whole country grinds to a halt for the next day or two. So that's good!

Buffy, sorry you're feeling so tearful. Are you feeling low, or just tearful? Cause its ok to cry, it doesnt mean you have to feel horrid with it. But there are so many changes going on without all the everyday stuff, I think sometimes we hae to just accept we are going to feel low and thats ok, but if its proving so persistant and problematic, maybe you should talk to your gp? I feel low a lot too, not so much tearful, but low, and I wish it wasnt like that. Sometimes I feel ok about it, just accept that it is the way it is, but sometimes I hate it and it makes me feel so fraustrated. You know, as well as low. I hope tomorrow is better.
Folic, sorry you've been back in hospital. Hope you've got good access to a library or something, it must be getting so boring underneath all the anxiety about it! And Snoozle, I hope you feel better soon too.
I too am feeling a bit lousy. Rang the gp today to get urine test results and they wont tell me over the phone, I have to go in, which at my surgery means they are positive, but they cant see me till wednesday, which worries me because I am having pain in my right side, which makes me worry about kidney infection or something. And I am meant to be going away for two weeks on thursday! Feeling anxious about it. Still got no burning on peeing or anything. As for weight, I'm not sure exactly where I started by I estimate I have pyt on 14 to 16 pounds so far. I ate a lot to keep sickness a least a little under control. Put on three stonish in total with my son.
And push chairs, who said the city select was really bulky? Is it? I was looking at them on ebay, kind of fancied one. They didnt look to bad, but I havent seen one in the flesh as it were. For my son, we bought a britax three wheeler travel system, which has worked really well for us. dont thin kthey make that exact one anymore, but I would hope they have only improved on their designs since then. It was good because you can have them parent or outward facing right the way through and the seat can lie flat and serve as a pram, ezpecially in the winter with the foot muff in place.

afternoon ladies.

folic glad you're out, take it easy for a while.

snoozle sorry you're feeling unwell.

bump sorry you're feeling low again, i hope you're a bit better today.

Argh so I know why DS was a grumpus over the weekend. Changed him in the babyroom at Asda to see a startling rash appearing over his body. Now filling with fluid. Chickenpox. We scuttled straight home and it appears it's doing the rounds. Now I'm 90 per cent sure I've had it, my sister is adamant we have, but my mum's dead so I'm not dead certain. Argh. Going to call my dad tonight and hope he was paying attention during that part of our childhood. Can't help but worry for bunny though. On a side note what the hell am I going to do with a rumbunctous toddler (he's already feeling much better) that won't infect any others, or pregnant women or those on chemo. How will I do any shopping for food?? Argh - and how will I get to see my MW a week on Tuesday at the health centre given he's likely to be infectious for 5 to 10 days. Arse.

8 pages of posts to catch up on!!! Give me a couple of hours! x

folic hope you're feeling better

snoozle awful to have a cold! And a stomach bug! Hope you feel better soon, but if you have diarrhea it might be best to see your GP because there might be an underlying cause... don't get dehydrated.

bump Sorry you are feeling weepy. I get like that a lot too and hope that you only feel down rarely!

No PMA here I'm afraid:( I have been stampeding and everytime i sit for more than 30 mins my feet and ankles swell up badly. It is very uncomfortable and worrying (yesterday I woke up swollen) - and I'm only at 22+6 so I'm worrying about the next 17 weeks (which is not helping). My mum had bed rest for the last 4 wks due to pre-ecclampsia (she's really worried by how early I'm swelling)and I really need to work as much as possible so not good.

Sorry to rant. I'm not even sick or bleeding so I feel like a real whiner. I will think of something positive and then post it.

Well, not bad, only an hour later and I'm up to date!

You guys are blowing my mind with all the shopping and lists! I've just bought a couple of cute little outfits, mostly babygrow/vest type things (don't know the difference!)

With the sleeping/cot thing, our friends have a six month old little girl and they used a travel cot with a bassinet in for the first few months, whcih sounds like a really good idea as we'll need a travel cot anyway. Any one else tried this?

Folic... hope you are feeling OK! [hug]

Finally moved back home tonight after a week at the in laws. We've had the builders in replacing our central heating. Our boiler was on the verge of ebing condemned and wouldn't want that risk in the house with a baby! Nice to be home now!

Had my appraisal last week too, it was really rubbish! Sucks because I went from being the best at everything in my old office, to being seen as pretty mediocre in my new office. But then, I realised I don't really care! Looking forward to my year off!

Waiting for a call back from a lady about pregnancy yoga classes on a thursday eveing! Really want to mix with some other pg mums nearby as I don't have any of my own friends living close after moving to wales. And after pointless midwife appointment that i didn't even need because they cant count and made one at 22 weeks when it should have been 25 we've found out we only get 1 ante natal class in my area! So not gonna be the best way to meet people!

Buffy JustStarting and Folic sorry you've been having horrid times of it. I hope you're feeling brighter tonight and having an easier time real soon.
Goldmaple argh not preeclampsia!? My mum was induced with me and my sister (twins) at 35 weeks with that. I hope you're well monitored and it turns out to be random swelling and nothing more than that.
As for us - well DS has a grand total of 17 chickenpox - and he's totally back in grand form. V unlike him as he's a real manflu case like his dad when he's ill, so I'm taking my PMA as being that I MUST have immunity because he's getting it from me via the breastmilk. He's so much brighter than when he got hand, foot and mouth, which I never had so couldn't help him with antibody wise.

alicat and mrsarch what type of baby dan booster seat are you refering too? I've googled it an it keeps coming up with a full on chair thingy. Ta!

PamSco how did the MW go? I have only put a few pounds on and I didn't have any morning sickness, couldn't stop scoffing in the first 12 weeks (when I put nothing on at all somehow!) but no appetite at all now!

Hope everyone is feeling much better soon physically and emotionally. Thinking of you! poppet hope you are able to find some help during your son's infectious period.

goldmaple my friend's sister has had terrible swelling on and off through her pregnancy, she's due today and hasn't suffered any further complications nor required any bed rest, but I can imagine its terribly uncomfortable. Have you seen the MW/Dr yet?

I managed to get through Marley and Me OK! We enjoyed the family sentiments as we start building our own little clan. 20 week scan tomorrow! Nervous and excited, am I the last one??

Poppet, I'm so glad (and encouraged) that the chicken pox has been a short lived affair as far as grizzles are concerned. As for contagion free activity, well, that I am less sure about. maybe its time to discover some local footpaths. Or buy a trampoline. How contagious would it be in a park or something? Maybe time to start some good furniture wrecking den building. I do see the dilmma!
Goldmaple, are you sure it isnt just heat or dehydration? Doesnt HAVE to mean preeclampsia (darn it, DS has now ripped the dash key off my keyboard. I am now four keys short).
Staceroo, we didnt know anyone in the area, we moved three weeks before I gave birth, but we knew we were GOING to move, so we made the effort and did NCY classes here, even though it meant a three hour round trip each week. TO be honest, i am so glad I did because my NCT ladies are still the only people I know here! And half of them have moved away themselves now! I am SO bad at making contacts when i go out to baby related classes and groups, I just dont seem to be able to concentrate on my son AND manage an adult conversation at the same time! But might be worth looking into NCT, and now, cause classes fill up. But the yoga sounds like a good idea too.

susnshine have a GP appt July 20th so was just going to wait for that unless it gets worse. Seems like a bit of swelling is normal, and my Blood pressure has always been low... so fingers crossed. left leg swells more though so not sure if thats a bad sign. Good luck for your scan tomorrow. Are you finding out which team you are on?

poppet glad your little man is feeling better so quickly. Best just to get chicken pox over with:)

pam I have gained 18lbs already. Not very impressed as i was tiny before but I really don't feel that much bigger (except my huge tummy). My mum and grandmum both gained ~40lbs so I think genetics have a lot to do with it. I am eating better now after eating junk for the first 4 months. I wouldn't worry about losing weight as long as you take your vitamin and baby is growing (i think baby takes what they need first).

PMA as promised - finally got materity jeans and they are sooooo much more comfortable than my old ones!! Have cute bump:)

Thanks all! My dad says I've definitely had it so am officially not stressing for Bunny. I think we're off on a nice long country walk tomorrow and in the morning going to see a friend and her immune daughters. Bad news is my friend is home from hospital with her baby Olivia and I so wanted to visit. No way I'll be risking that for quite some time now.
Oh and Goldmaple you did make me smile re maternity jeans. You're just in your first pair and I'm going to have to buy some new pairs as I'm almost out of mine. I was a size 12, but I'm out of those and also a larger pair of 14s. Bunny was right on trend but cos of my wrecked abs, my bump is just ridiculously low so it always cut right into the non elasticated waist band below all the stretchy stuff. Sigh. I don't know how much weight I've put on as I don't have scales but can fit all my tops fine, and all trousers fit around the butt and legs - just not around DD! Oh and I'm not a skirt or dress person so this is serious.

sunshine gold the mw appt went well - finally met my named mw! I mentioned the weight loss and she was fine about it didn't seem concerned. I expected to start putting weight on about now but no sign. My mum didn't put much on with us 4 but my sister has with her's. Maybe I'll be lucky. Bubba's growth is fine so I'm not too worried.

I hope everyone feeling low turns the corner soon.

PMA - started my shopping list for basic essentials and I think I'll be getting lots given (or sold) to me. Swing crib, Bugaboo, cot. Hope I have something left to splurge on.

Hi Everyone! I have finally caught up with all the news and bits and pieces! Happy birthday to those I missed and great news re the scans!

Gold, my ankles swell every day too but as thats the only bit of me that is I am not too worried yet. I just get up walk around and then stick my feet up on something at work. My right one swells more than my left though?! Crazy.

I am loving all the buying and discussing of baby stuff. Really enjoying planning what am going to buy. On a mission over last weekend to find everything slightly cheaper. Thus far I have managed it so that can be my PMA.

I dont think I have put on very much weight at all. I still fit in my work trousers, all be it they sit below the bump but i can get them round the bump too. 23 weeks dead on today. Going to buy a couple cheap pairs of leggings n stuff at the weekend and a bump band. It shall by my mission to limit mat stuff as I am officially very very poor at the moment! Had to shell out for a trip for my dd (£160! for 2 nights for school, asked her dad who couldnt afford to contribute but managed to buy brand new xbox etc the same week hmmmm) Also had car to be fixed, MOT, tyres and son is starting new school in sept so not only needs uniform but needs proms etc! Sigh. Only have 12 weeks til Mat leave so that is like 3 more paydays.... ah well :)

Good morning all. Sending hugs to those who have had a difficult time in the past couple of days.
I just got part of dh's Christmas present as doubt I will feel like shopping once baby arrives so trying to get bits and pieces as we go along. It is the hilfiger sale which dh likes so got him a nice t shirt as no rugby shirts left in his size.
Any experienced mums who can recommend breast pumps?

Morning all, internet is a bit sporadic at moment so have only just caught up with past couple of pages.

As usual my brain can only cope with replying to the most recent posts (sorry, am rubbish).

Cookie I had a medela breast pump which was really good. I couldn't breast feed so expressed for 6 weeks. I was shown how to express at hospital and they used medela as well (not the same model it was industrial sized!).

Been looking at ideas for pressie from DD to newborn and newborn to DD. What do you think of this for DD and what about this for newborn?

Sorry, but I can't believe these non-weight gain "issues"!
I have gained 6 kilos but last time only gained 12 in total so think I am gaining a bit too fast. I just don't feel good this time at all - last p/g I worked part-time and had no kid obviously so I went to the gym loads, did yoga, acupuncture, chiropractice etc. This time I am still cycling (but that is just my mode of transport and its not far to anywhere in Copenhagen) but I am not being healthy at all! And last time I was wore nice tight clothes and high-waist belts and heels to work! Now I am wearing loose comfy stuff so I still just look chunky not pregnant - what happened to my style???!

Small things can make the difference when you feel crap, so maybe I'll get some highlights and a trim, eyebrow threading and mani-pedi when I get back to London this week.

Re. pram - I got the M&P Pramette last time, but it wasn't great for the snow and cobbled streets of Copenhagen, so this time I bought a Mountain Buggy. We don't have/need a car, so pram decision-making is different here and huge bath-tub style prams are everywhere.

I am thinking of buying a Medala Swing breast-pump but again, I wish I had bought it last time. It seems like a lot of money...but I guess it is worth it...

Breast pump should that be bought before baby is here or can you wait until baby born? or would that just be another thing to worry about?

babystyle oyster I tried it in person, then did research after online. It's parent and front facing and easy to swap round, easy to attach car seat (although have to attach adaptors which I know may get annoying) and huge canopy sun hood, and carry cot for early months. Also can get a billion different colours. I think they are trying to be a bit bugaboo!

city select I specifically meant it is bulky when converted to two children- very heavy BUT I would definitely check it out in person as a single as it is wide and chunky and therefore solid feeling which of course can be seen as a good thing. It goes down in two pieces so better for car travel I'd say, large sun canopy and can be parent and front facing. I liked it and a friend has it. I find it very hard to put down though even though it's supposed to be easy!

Weight I'm of the lalalalala sticking fingers in ears school of thought on weight gain at the moment. I was a size 14 to 16 before and have definitely put the weight on, but I'm trying not to freak out too much. Wasn't that fussed about food in first tri, but seem to have a very sweet tooth now and eating a lot of dairy products. Pints of milk?! I know my mw would weigh me if I asked, but I haven't asked.

Buffy and snoozle feeling any better today? and poppet hows the wee guy?

Tjuice I'm not one to take offence easily but your comment but I can't believe these non-weight gain "issues"! has rankled a wee bit.

Lots of women get ill during pregnancy and it is very very worrying when you drop a significant amount of weight when you know your baby needs energy. What you may not see as an "issue" others do. There are many studies regarding underweight babies having health trouble in later life so it is naturally going to concern a mum to be.

People say the baby takes what it needs and for me that is fine as I plenty of reserves to pull on :)

I've lost my appetite again last couple of days I have had to force small portions down but every time I just end up feeling waves of nausea. I'm ok in the morning so I try to eat as much as I can - which is about a 1/3 of what I'd manage pre-pregnancy.

When I give birth to a happy healthy bouncing baby boy I'll look back and think my worrying was daft but until then I just can't help it.

The weight gain is a worry if bump isn't growing, I guess. I can see where I'm putting weight on - in all the right places. Bump, boobs, little extra around the bum/thighs - but everywhere else I'm actually slimming a little bit, or staying pre-preg.

SO, I met the consultant today, who made me cry within 30 seconds, and then promptly sent me home with iron tablets, anti-depressants and a 2 week sick note.

Caliphora good that the consultant has given you things to help and a 2 week sick note. If possible get out and about in sunshine (if there is any where you are- just cloudy here) and stay active and occupied. Have you got friends and family you can hang out with for cuppas while you're off?

Hey PamSco, no offence meant at all.

It just seems everything I have read and heard (including from my dh who is a gp) is that unless you are a bit underweight to begin with or have other health problems, not gaining that much at this point isn't as much of a problem as gaining too much too quickly. But of course, it must be just as worrying too.

I suppose I am more phlegmatic with this pregnancy but then again, I've been worrying about being too stressed and how this could affect the baby.
But getting it into perspective, its not the stress of a hunger or poverty-stricken person.

My mother is in Sweden, my sister too - most of my friends are scattered about the country... So, not really.

I'm getting nervous about the Fluoxetine now though - my consultant in London told me to come off it completely during the pregnancy.

Yeah Cali but I suppose that consultant hasn't seen you again at this point in time? I'm sure the consultant today was weighing up the balance of risk against progress and mental wellbeing. Try not to let that get your anxious, probably easy to say mind you. If no one in RL then come on here, I know we may not be as good, but we're normally always around.

On a completely random and not important or significant note, anyone else got a flat bump at the front? Mine is sticky outy belly but flat at the front. I have to stick it out to get the complete rounded look. Mum says she was the same.