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

[cep]

Halfway there now ladies. on the countdown.

Hello new thread!
Am very impressed with all the knitting & making mobiles - am trying to physche myself up to join in!

I'm due end of Nov, so it's lovely hearing everyone a couple of weeks ahead of me, but also feel so far behind. Plus my scan's not until 22 weeks!

Am 19 wks and don't think i've properly felt junior kick yet (though I'm not the skinniest, but size 14). When did everyone feel those first amazing kicks??

I too have arranged to buy a travel system from a friend who's kids are now too big for the buggy, I guess that even if it lasts until the baby can go into a buggy, at least then we'll have saved a fortune rather than buying new, it's a quinny buzz if I remember correctly, not the newest one though but I dont really mind :)

Hi all!
First up, Cali so sorry I missed your awful day, I cross posted really sorry. I hope you're now all comfy on the sofa and being spoiled. Ditto anyone whose been holding the fort without much help from partners this week.
As for the buggy dilemma Buffy I think I'd opt for the 3 wheeler chassis too. It's great it faces front or back but be warned 13kg is one heavy buggy. DS's Confort Loola (my nemesis I am going to get all Office Space/printer on once we have a new buggy for DD) is 10kg and it is awful. But then it is ridiculously unwieldy anyway - I have to stop before kerbs and physically stomp on it to get it over - horrid - if this one handles well then weight isn't so much of an issue. And I'm another one coveting the Phil and Ted's cocoon for DD, I think we'll go for one and try to squeeze it into the City Mini Jogger which were hopefully going to go for this time just because it gets such good reviews and its fold is amazing - plus it takes a buggy board for DS. I'd like parent facing too ideally, but as a second child I think DD may appreciate some peace and a break from constant interraction and I've never found a parent facing buggy that didn't have some issue, unfortunately. However if I am wrong do let me know, unless the system costs more than £200 new or second hand!
Cep are you in charge of the Facebook thingie? If so how do I join?? I finally added DD's pics to my profile after holding off til DH had rung his mum, I don't know why I bothered, she blew the wind out of his sails by saying 'so I assume it's a girl then' (because I'd said I had a hunch it was) then changing the subject to his brother's kids instead. This is her fourth GC and she gives less and less of a crap each time. Unfortunately me and DH are the ones with the two youngest of her GCs. So unfair as I know they'd be the apples of my mum's eye if she were still alive.

Hi Poppy we don't get any percentiles I went hunting - I was given the mm and found this site www.baby2see.com/medical/charts.html

I love stats :)

Went to Ikea sale but didn't buy the cot, not sure about it.

PamSco I didn't like the "girlie" feel to the IKEA sale cot, so we're sticking to the Gulliver model we'd decided on first.
We did try to get the £5 changing bag, but they were all out! :(
Then my mum conveniently called and told me she's in the middle of sewing one for me (I'm getting 31 years worth of mothering in the space of 9 months here, by the way!)

Morning all. Hope everyone is feeling ok today. Love reading the views on the different buggies. Want to go down the second hand route after seeing how expensive some are I-candy should be renamed I-watering price!

Hello lkane0 welcome. Don't worry about the kicks I didn't feel mine for a while but once they start they just get stronger and more frequent. Is it a first baby?

Does anyone know if the 25 week appointment happens automatically or do you have to ring the doctors surgery?

Still sore to bend down so have asked dh to paint my toenails. Good practice for him for when I am too big to bend down!

Morning all, hope everyone is well? Sounds like afew people have been having a few rubbish days :( Hope everything has picked up now.

I am utterly shattered, was at a work do on Fri night, got home 12.15 from 8.30 am that day, up at 6 yesterday to take 100 people to Flamingo Land, 2 coaches, people driving independently and a very very hot day! Another 12 hour day. Struggled out of bed this morning as I desperately needed a cup of tea and the house is a bombsite. Another 12-13 hour day 2moro. Not looking forward to it at all. Shattered!!

Oh well. Ive ordered the buggy and the cot from mothercare on their babyplan thing. Hoping the gp's feel like dropping a little money into the fund as I am more than a little skint! Didnt even order that much, baby monitor, cot, pram that was on offer and the mattres for the cot. Not entirely sure where am going to get the money from so may look at 2nd hand and reduce mothercare order! I have also sinned and bought some pink things for the bump. Ah well. Just hope the scan was correct and she doesnt come out blue!

Looks another lovely day so I may see if I can get a lot of washing done and the grass cut.... have a fab day everyone :)

cookie here I have to make all my midwife appointments with the surgery, if I dont' make them they don't happen. so it is probably worth ringing and asking about it.

I really need to start thinking about buying a few things for Xander, if he stays safe we only have 15 weeks until induction week. We have all the big stuff more less that we bought when we were expecting Belle, but we were borrowing some things for her (e.g. moses basket, bath stuff) that I now want to buy for Xander so we've chosen things especially for him too. Right going to scrap our old shed of a car thats been sat there rusting forever and get my tax rebate to get some Xander funds going!!!

Hello! Is there space for one more? I'm due on 28th November - so that makes me 19 weeks tomorrow. Got my 20 week scan tomorrow too?! Not quite sure how that worked out but am certainly looking forward to it. I read on an earlier thread that some of you had already had consulatant appointments for having BMI's on the higher side - I've got one next week and getting quite anxious about it - what happens at this appointment and is there anything I should be prepared for? I have to say, most medical professionals have been lovely, but having had one awful appointment with a locum midwife who made me feel that I was utterly irresponsible to have a baby at my size and age (37) I'm a bit concerned about this appointment! Any advice would be most welcome. Thank you!

Hi oneslice, a warm welcome. Not sure is all "fat girl clinics" that's what i call it, are the same but my one is based in a research clinic.

First appt was with 3 different people, 1st a nutritionist to see what I ate, didn't last long as I eat the right stuff just way too much of it. Then I met a specialist mw, who is fantastic, she explained about risk and a high BMI and made it very clear that my attendance was voluntary. Then I met the consultant - didn't say much. I've agreed to join a study regarding high bmi and labour so I give them extra blood samples but that is voluntary too.

As far as I can see the main reason for attendance is to supplement the community mw appts. Dopplers don't work great with big bellies and measuring growth through touch is also hindered with an ample paunch. So I get 3 more growth scans at 28, 32 and 37 weeks.

There is also a small statistical increase in caesarians in larger ladies so they pre-plan - just in case - I see an anaesthetist and an obstetric surgeon - just in case. The "just in case" is very important they don't try to push an elective on you it is all just being preplanned for the worst case.

Hope this helps. I'm finding the visits useful as I'm a 1st timer and they seem to have more time for my questions. Best of luck with your visit.

Thank you so much - that is incredibly helpful. You have really put my mind at rest. Had a pretty tricky first fifteen weeks and have lost a fair amount of weight - just from being unable to face food - typically, my BMI doesn't meet consultant led thresholds anymore - but it seems that I'm already in their system so still need to go for the appointment. Anyhow .... every cloud and all that - if your experience is anything to go by it should be a positive experience and I'll get some extra scans - more chance to see the little Pickle! Thanks again, you've really set my mind at rest.

Welcome Oneslice, hope you have a good scan tomorrow :)

I've been away on hols with no internet, and have just spent ages trying to catch up!

Welcome Oneslice! Good luck tomorrow!

Pam Congrats on your amnio result, must have set your mind at rest.

Folic , Pam and Ziggi Can I come? I like cake! I live in Edinburgh too! And you're not too far to join us Poppet !

I always forget where people are based, perhaps it will be easier to tell on the fb group. I've only just opened a fb account, and have zero posts and 3 friends so far, so I need to spend some time getting the hang of it. I'll pm you cep so's I can join in the fun.

I've also just got back from hols and been trying to catch up with thread over the past couple of days. I can't remember all of the shout outs I wanted to do but especially wanted to say:

Caz What an impressive amount! You, Jon and Belle are amazing and am in awe of you inspiring so many people to contribute. And all of the organising that went on in the background. Belle and Xander are very lucky to have such amazing parents.

Folic I was thinking of you when on hols. Am so, so, so glad to hear that baby is ok. Here's to your placenta moving upwards in the coming months.

Cep Just going to PM you so I can join the FB group.

I've been researching into buggies. As I'm going to have a newborn and an 18month old (gulp) I'm going for a double buggy. The Baby City Jogger Double is probably what I am going to get but decided to get in on ebay after I am 28 weeks. Think I will need to get a head hugger and cosy toes thingy for newborn.

Decided I was getting fed up with my Silvercross change bag and have just bought a Pacapod Logan. Love the idea that on short trips I can just hook on the change pod to the pram.

Oh, and I just bought some removeable stickers to brighten up the spare room which will be turned into DDs room when newborn moves into the nursery. Got Woodland animals and Butterflys No more spending by me for a while!

Moosey I've brought a change bag this weekend... after seeing the pacapods I may be returning it and spending a little more!!! Will visit one of the local stockists later this week (happen to be going there anyway) so will check it out in store prior to purchasing but at the mo liking the look of them much more than the bag I got though it was exactly what I was looking for and have been searching since finding out I was pg after a couple of failure bags with DS

Welcome oneslice hope all goes well with your up-coming scan & appt.

Good luck to others scanning tomorrow x

Anyone else love the book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'??? DS ruined it for me this weekend :( he sat down reading it to baby (who was happily wrigging away) & me and truned to me and said "Mummy, this book is wrong. It says the caterpillar goes into a cocoon and turns into a butterfly" my response "that's right"... DS "NO its not, a cocoon is for a moth & a CHRYSALIS is for a butterfly....I'm going to say chrysalis instead of cocoon when I read this to baby so baby knows the correct name" since when did 6yr olds become so smart??

I love it! A chrysalis indeed. A proud moment I am sure.
I'm having one of those paranoid "am i feeling enough movement?" evenings. Nice weekend though. First family day out for ages and ages today. kniackered now though. No stamina at all, especially in the heat. I wish every day could be, I dont know. Fulfilling in some way I guess. And headache free! Only two doses of paracetamol this WEEK! LOVING it! I hope it lasts!

Oneslice we seem to be following the same programme lol. I've lost 2 stone since I was 1st knocked up but they still seem pleased to see me. Fingers crossed you get a lovely mw like I have.

Sorry if I offend anyone with what I am about to say but I got very very very angry when I popped into the clinic after my 20 wk scan. There always seem to be a row of heavily pregnant larger ladies waiting to see the consultants - not unusual, except they all wait outside smoking like chimneys! Smoking when pregnant makes my blood boil. /rant

juststarting if me leg wasn't numb I'd be jumping for joy for your headache free-ness. Fingers crossed for you too.

knockedup I hadn't realised you were Edi too! Wow so many. Need to choose a date and place and just go for it. If it is a weekend I need a bit of notice.

I feel I should be moving to Edinburgh!

Up early just having a cuppa to get me going a bit as have a truly long day ahead, however managed a fairly restful day yesterday even though lots got done. My lovely dd swept the kitchen floor and polished the downstairs and took clothes up etc to save me doing it all. Bless her.

Welcome oneslice :) hope appointment/scan is lovely.

Bump very clever of your ds!

Welcome back those who have been on hols (not jealous at all).

Sun shining today, 3 hour car journey and 2.5 hour train ride and its promising to be quite warm :( Hope everyone has good days :)

Hello all waves little update.... Mortgage company has come back and said yes :) just needs to sign off now and Uni have been in touch and sent me old exam paper still awiring news on the coursework but still progress! Feel almost silly now for getting so panicky and stressed! Gonna blame hormones!

How was everyone's weekends? I found out the hard way that we're more likely to burn when pregnant :( Only a 3 day week this week and 20 week scan on Thursday (I'm catching up with you all :) )

Need a kick up the backside. Or an understamnding ear. Not sure which. Having one of those mornings when i just hate being pregnant. Wokr up with horrid stomach pain, which i'm sure is just gas or hunger or both, but i'm tired of worrying! I fell asleep olast night, after our lovely day out, with unshakeable repeating images of 'if ds had fallen off the jetty', and woke up with 'foetus not ok' ones. I'm a big worrier and stressor its true but today i am tired out with worrying and being pregnant gives a whole new massive thing to worry about right here in my body. And god only knows how i am going to manage a 25 month old and a new born. And i have a nasty stressful morning ahead dealing with some very problematic clients. And i need to come up with a viable thesis and fast. And i have finished winging now and feel marginally better just for looking at it and feeling a bit silly.
Oh, and my head hurts.

Morning Ladies.

welcome lkane0 and oneslice congratualtions to you both. In regards to the fat lady appt with the consultant, i had to take some wee, i saw a nurse who took bp, tested wee. then saw consultant who was really nice, they have to wrn you of the possible problems being so overweight can cause. (i have a very high bmi) but he was still happy to support me in wanting to go to the midwife led unit.

cali i hope you're feeling lots better today.

poppet glad ds is feeling better.

h007 yay for mortgage congrats hon.

just i know how you feel i worry about having a very active 3yr and a new born. my ds is very mischievious (sp?) and can be very naughty and i just don't have the energy at the moment to chase him. Firstly you need to sort the sleeping. We had to put a stairgate on his door and ignore the crying, eventually he'll put himself back to bed, and go to sleep himself. The health visitor told me to leave him wherever he falls asleep just cover him, and obviously make sure he's safe. I hated listening to the crys, but each night got less and less. Just ignore don't talk to him don't pay attention. Everything is going to feel more hopeless if you're still exhausted before you even have baby. I also get those funny dreams, with me its the train station i just have images of him slipping between train and platform, we go very rarely ds just likes to go and watch them go by.

we didn't get told the percentile either. But then i still think they have my edd wrong.

Hi all, tried to post last night but MN seemed to be down - gasp!

I seem to have dropped off the radar with the fat girl clinics - was told at 12 wk scan that I'd be referred to consultant for my high BMI and then haven't heard a word since. I think my BMI ended up a scraping below the threshold so I've fallen out of the net. Not sure whether to see this as a good or bad thing!

I still don't 'look' pregnant (at least not to me) and that's making me worry that something's wrong. Two days until our 20 wk scan so I guess we'll find out.

Thanks to many for comments about buggies. It's really useful to hear others views - and I don't understand how we're expected to make decisions with prego-brains!

Thanks Moosey :) Last count over weekend and we're up to £5261.97! (and still more to come!)

pam my blood boils with you. I'm doing a lot of biting my tongue in work at the moment, 3 of us preg and all due within a fortnight of eachother (me last, but I'm likely to have baby first cuz of early induction!), the other 2 ladies smoke and watching them walk to the gates each break really upsets me. More so I think, because they were there when Belle died last year, they 'know' what we went through, Belle is often talked about in work (which I love that I work with people who are not scared to mention her name!) and they are educated people who know smoking increases the risk of the same happening to them, I find it quite frightening and often worry about them. Although for the record I did everything I was supposed to do in pregnancy and it appears my girl died for no reason at all. My more reasonable head tries to understand the addiction though.

bump your DS sounds brilliant! What a proud Mummy moment!

juststarting I hope you are feeling better by the end of today.

Right I better get a move on, I'm going into work for an extra day today for a day long foundation department planning meeting (which I'm going to be late for, but as they are not paying me to be there, I will be playing the pregnancy card and get there for 9.30 instead of 9.00!)

V quick post PamSco and Caz I also agree. I remember for my first and second scan having to walk past v pregnant ladies smoking outside maternity ward. Made my blood boil as I was so worried about my baby and was trying to do everything in my power to make sure it was safe/healthy.

Think DD is teething again. Sigh. Hopefully this is the canines and then we are 'done' for a while until those 2nd molars come through.

Hope everybody has a lovely Monday.

Morning all!

Wrote a huge catch up post last night, was checking up and down the thread catching up with as many people as I could, then DH asked if he could borrow the laptop for 'a minute'... he did whatever it was he wanted to do and then closed the bloody laptop down!
So, I apologise profusely but I just can't face writing it all out again!

A quick catch up....
Caz, your total updates just amaze me each time, that really is an incredible amount of money, congratulations on such a brilliant achievement.

H007, really pleased things are picking up for you, that feeling of being swamped under with a million things to worry about is awful, sometimes its just too hard to see the wood for the trees. Glad things are coming together now.

Bump, I think I might start reading 'chrysalis' instead of 'cocoon' now in honour of your clever little fella!

BuffyFan, not only are we expected to make decisions on prams with preggy-brains but more importantly, people expect us to make logical decisions on baby names!
I can barely decide what to have for breakfast, nevermind what I'm going to call my child for the rest of his life!

Welcome in OneSlice, hope your scan goes well today.

On the topic of prams, we're getting the OBaby Zezu, I wanted something that would be easy to spot in the mass of prams at the library... I think this might do the job!
I have a Phil and Ted cocoon in grey and black that I'm selling for those who are looking at P&Ts....

Can we discuss Nursery decor....?
I just can't seem to find anything I like!
What bedding/furniture/theme are you all going for?
Please give me some ideas!
MooseyMoo, those woodland stickers are lovely, are you matching bedding and stuff with them or not?
I've got a bit of an OCD habit when it comes to matching bedding and soft furnishings... DH wants to buy DS a Lightning McQueen duvet but I won't let him cos it won't match the curtains!