Brewing a March baby!

[Carlitawantsababy]

Hello! I've just found out that I'm pregnant and due on the 23rd March! I'm 29 and live in London with my husband, dog and cat. So far at 4 weeks things are going very smoothly! I'm very excited about going to the doctor (even if they don't care) as feel it will make things more real!
If you're expecting in March too please join the thread and share a bit about yourself and how your pregnancy is going!

Hi all! Apologies, I've been missing in action for over a week as I went away to see my sister, so I come bearing sticks of rock [hands them round]

Then I accidently hit the 'Update All' apps button on my iPhone which rendered my MN app completely useless But on a positive note I still had the old version of the app on my laptop so I deleted the updated version from my phone & reloaded it from my laptop - result! Now working again

Anyway - soooooo much to catch up on! Apologies if I've missed anyone out!
knitterati - not sure if you've read the iPhone app thread on the MN Site Stuff topic but that's how I managed to fix mine - might help if you still have the old version on your laptop/computer?
shortlady - love your story! [Makes mental note to turn off work laptop volume]
greengoose - so sorry to hear your news. Glad you are being well looked after and lots of fx that you are back on the due in....threads soon
KikiRC & Carlitawantsababy - glad you guys are ok following your little bleeding blips. I had a little bleed with DS but it was later on (about 16 weeks or so I think), but it did panic me lots a bit, to be told it was 'just one of those things!! I think it's very common though that doesn't help the worry I know.
feekerry - sorry to hear about your HG. I don't really know much about it but hope it goes after the 1st trimester for you
KikiRC - good to get some positive experiences on the travel sickness bands - might have to try them myself now. Hoping it will get rid of this constant nausea
monkeybaby2 - congrats on the scan - cant wait for my scan! Got to wait until 1st of September Good luck with the mw app!
ImTheMap - welcome and sorry to hear about all that medication I would have no chance of remembering to take all that! Will be good getting to know you!
Carlitawantsababy - glad you are doing great! Its really refreshing to hear of someone not suffering during pregnancy and a little bit . But seriously am really pleased for you.

And on that note, I was thinking it would be nice if people would like to share their positives on pregnancy (barring the obvious of course !!!

So here goes

1. Slow digestion means I've reverted back to my healthy breakfast of bran flakes & porridge oats, which I'm really enjoying actually - I don't get out much!
2. Constant nausea means I have to eat little & often, so I'm choosing all the nice things and not the things I should be eating really (so much more exciting that eating healthy stuff lol)
3. Boobs are growing again (I'm normally a 34C, but the shape of them always makes me look much bigger anyway - I know it sounds weird but it's true!). It balances out my very rapidly disappearing waist & helps to hide bump/fat a bit more
4. Having an excuse to slob around the house in my most comfy clothes, without feeling like I should be making an effort
5. My husband has turned into a bit of a domestic god in my useless state and no sorry, he's not available to hire out
6. Getting to spend time chatting to lovely ladies on MN
7. Reading up obsessively on baby development etc - educating myself as well (although baby brain means I'm not actually retaining anything)
8. Planning out my maternity leave (when I'm going to take it, how long etc - not making lots of plans whilst I'm off - learned that lesson last time!)
9. Shopping - for me & baby!
10. Planning new bedroom for DS1 ready for DC2 to have his old room (although planning on making sure DS doesn't feel kicked out/replaced so hoping for there to be about 6 months between DS1 moving out & DC2 moving in)

Phew! I think covers everything I can think of for now in my tired state (ooh, except for a brill excuse for early nights!) - over to you lovely ladies! Apologies for the essay I've just previewed my post and if nothing else it's very pretty even if you do all get bored reading it

KikiRC hooray! Glad you're feeling a little better!
imthemap blimey! You made me laugh with your comment about it all coming so naturally! It's a real wonder modern medicine isn't it though, to be able to give you that sort of combination of things to help you have a healthy pregnancy!
Davina good to have you back! I'm enjoying everything at the moment! Feel very happy and can do lots of shopping for nice things and eat lots of food without feeling bad about it, am doing lots of sewing making nice things for babies, DH is looking after me and I'm banned from all the DIY jobs that need doing, couldn't be better! don't even mind not drinking strangely (that's really quite a change for me!) you never know, maybe my body has it muddled up and I might be puking in the second trimester when you guys feel like goddesses!

Hey all, just thought I'd drop a quick post to check-in.

• thanks for the tip re MN app, I rarely connect phone & laptop, so will give it a bash tomorrow!
• I'm enjoying telling my friends and family: watching their reaction is just fab! Both mother & MIL were overjoyed and started crying! (I'm hoping this will put aside old differences between DH and Mother)
• apparently MW was off sick last week so am expecting a call this week, but I might call her because I'm getting impatient!
• have been sick nearly every day since Thursday despite all possible remedies tried (biscuits, peppermint tea, etc). Its not to severe and i can keep fluids down & Past 12 noon I start to feel human again, but my poor boss looks at me each morning with such pity.

Anyway, will catch up properly when back on the computer rather than this crappy app!

Sounds like bliss carlita My first pregnancy was a bit like that. I was flooded with chill out vibes, which was so not like me, but the best thing that could have happened! Seriously, I'm sure you will carry on with a lovely happy & healthy pregnancy, and float your way to a wonderful & quick labour (I'm not being sarcastic, just in case it might come across that way - I hate the written word for that!)

FX the app tip works for you knitterati Sorry about the sickness - have you tried the travel sickness bands that carlita suggested? Sorry if you have Maybe you should suggest to your boss that you only work afternoons I know what mine would say if I suggested it! It would probably end with off!

I seem to have scared everybody else off with my earlier ridiculously long & chirpy post, so I'm going to slink off to bed now Night all!

Anyone else feel like sleeping beauty but look more like the wicked step mother in the mornings?

Davinaaddict haven't tried the sickness bands yet, will give those a go next - thanks for the tip :) Fortunately my (male) boss has not long had children of his own so is very sympathetic and has put up with me shifting my hours slightly, so getting in the office at about 10am looking very green around the gills.

shortlady I had a similar story when one of my colleagues asked to use my iPhone to google something, then I quickly had to rip it out of his hands as I was I had been googling if smoked salmon in pregnancy was safe and it was still showing in the history. oops!

Now. I'll warn you all now, I'm about to have a bit of a rant about my normally very good Doctors surgery....

At our surgery, the normal process, as I understand it is, get a BFP, pick up maternity forms from reception, send them back to the midwife and the midwife calls to book ultrasound, booking appt etc.
I handed my completed forms in at the start of last week. Didn't hear anything, so called the surgery on Monday to a very curt receptionist saying "Well you won't have heard anything because she's off sick. Just wait for a call from her" and then promptly put the phone down on me! (I let it pass, thinking it was a bad Monday for her). I still hadn't heard anything by today, so I called the MWs mobile number that was given out and got a voicemail saying she was off sick until 16th August due to a burn (tmi). So I call the surgery again and play dumb.

This time, I got a much nicer receptionist and explained my concerns that I didn't find out I was pregnant until 6 weeks and I'm worried I'll need an ultrasound in the next 2/3wks etc etc..but basically, she's off sick and whilst they have someone covering her antenatal clinic, they're not sure/haven't got anyone doing her paperwork! Grrr! I feel really forgotten in their whole process

Apologies for the long and whinging post, maybe I can blame it on the baby hormones.

I'm out :( had it confirmed with a scan this morning after bleeding on holiday.

really sorry to hear that babybrain My thoughts are with you and hope that DH continues to look after you.

babybrain I hope you and your DH are holding up and will be thinking about you.
knitterati I'd be very annoyed too, that sort of thing is just not on. I hope they sort it out soon, you don't want to be left in the dark or forgotten when you are at your most vulnerable, I think that's a given.

Your comments reminded me of my other silly story I had forgotten about . Had taken pictures of +ve test to show husband as he works away, was flicking through whilst at work after a meeting. Client (who I know pretty well) ask to borrow camera and almost grabs out of my hands (I was currently examining +ve test photo again..). I managed to put her off by saying there was some pics of me on there I didn't want the men at meeting to see, she assumed it was beach / bikini photos, so all fine that time :) She is expecting herself and would be delighted for me, but bit too soon to tell..

I had some small amount of spotting at weekend, which didn't last long but made me a bit nervous. Now I have no symptoms at all. I was expecting morning sickness by now, so either very lucky or maybe somethings up.. Not sure if to take a pregnancy test. Or maybe one of those ones that tells you in weeks. Would that tell me anything? No stomach cramps or anything, so no sign of MC. I'm 7+2.. I feel almost symptom free and that feels a bit odd to me, but it's not like I had bad symptoms that suddenly stopped. Ummm. Scan not for another 4+ weeks.

Hope all of you doing ok. Very sorry to hear your loss BabyBrain.

So sorry to hear your news BabyBrain3, take good care of yourself x

Knitterati you can book directly via the midwives at the hospital, they should have a booking line for the Ante-natal clinic. I hadn't received anything 4 weeks after seeing GP so phoned the hospital direct to make sure it was all organised.

shortlady sorry to hear yoh had a bit if bleeding, but there is nothing wrong with no symptoms, plenty of women don't gave nausea or sickness (75% do bit that still leaves a lucky quarter!) so there is no reason to be thinking like that! As far as I am aware there is no point doing a test, tests still stay positive several days after a mc and the ones that tell you in weeks are not accurate after early pg and are likely to cause unnecessary worry! Love your stories I have a pic or two of tests too so have to be careful. I love the idea that your colleague now thinks you're a little bit saucy with a camera full of sexy pics but I'm sure your right that she'll think they are beach shots!

Morning - ImTheMap - I know exactly what you mean!

Knitterati - you've just reminded me of a similar story that I'd forgotten about - blame the baby brain! I'd left my iPhone on my desk at work & have downloaded the babycentre app to follow baby development. It decided that that moment would be a good time to announce that my baby was 8 weeks old!!!! It left the message on the screen so I've no idea if anyone saw it, although no-one mentioned so hoping not!

Sorry to hear about your doctors being so rubbish! Hope you manage to get everything sorted. I suppose it will be business as usual for them, but that's no good when dealing with pregnant ladies! Btw - hope the bands help but afraid I can't take the credit for that one, as it was Carlitas original suggestion

So sorry to hear your news babybrain - get lots of rest and & hope to see you back on the boards soon

Sorry about your spotting shortlady - Carlita & Zhen put it very well so I don't have much to add, but fx it was just one of those random pregnancy things and the symptoms return (but maybe not all of them )

babybrain so sorry to hear your sad news, hope you are doing ok and looking after yourself!

Quick Q, at what stage did you have your booking in appointment? I went to the doctors last friday and he filled in a form to fax to the midwife, said I would hear in a week, but so far nothing. I am going to be 8 weeks on Saturday, and would like to at least have a date booked in, also getting jittery about not having a scan date yet. Should I chase up the surgey if I haven't heard by tomorrow? Maybe they can give me a number for the midwife?!

Hi moffit I got a scan letter 4 days after initial docs appointment then booking in appointment about 4 days after that (even though they are, obviously, the other way around chronologically) I would chase them up, there's no harm in it, they may just tell you the letter's on it's way but at least it'll out your mind at rest that you haven't been forgotten.

Hmm, I'm wondering about the booking-in appointment, too. Are you definitely supposed to have it before the scan?

I saw an alternative midwife a week and a half ago as mine was on holiday- I heard on Monday about my scan in 3 weeks time, but nothing yet about the booking in appointment. I don't have my midwife's number yet, as I haven't met her. Do you think it's worth calling my GP to check an appointment is being made?

Had my first proper MS yesterday. Bleurgh.

Thanks Carlita, if there is no letter or message when I get home today I will chase up first thing Monday. Like you say, I just dont want to be forgotten, so how many weeks will you be for your booking in appt. & your scan?

Hi Kiki, I think you are supposed to have your booking in appt between 8-10 weeks. Did you not have this when you saw the alternitive midwife?

Shopping and lunch at Wagamama cures morning sickness...

Thanks, Moffit. No, I just had a short appointment with the other midwife- about 10 minutes. I'll ring the surgery and check it's all going through. (I'm 9 weeks, now.)

Another quick question if anyone happens to know.

I'll be applying for maternity allowance rather than SMP as I'm self employed. Do you know if I'll be eligible for child benefit at the same time as I claim MA, or does this only kick in once MA has finished?

Also, my self-employed work is rather seasonal. I'm unlikely to get much work over autumn/ winter, and was thinking of getting a short-term or P/T job over this time to earn a bit of extra money. I.e. shop work, or something quite casual. Would this mean I'm not eligible for MA any more though? Would I have to go for SMP instead, even if I was only employed on a salary for a few months?

Sorry for so many questions!

Just called the surgery. I don't appear to have an appointment booked in with the midwife, and the receptionist I spoke to didn't know at what stage you should have a booking-in appointment, or how long it would take (I suggested a standard single appointment may not be long enough.)

Anyway, she's left a note with the midwife to call me when she's next in (Tuesday.) All seems a bit disorganised...

Thanks for your responses. I asked the pharmacist about taking a 'dating test'. Basically, he said save my money as they only say if you are 3 weeks +.

I'm on a hen do this weekend, had to tell the hen why no boozing, so at least no lies. Something to look forward too, although exhausted thinking about it :) Have a great weekend all..

hi everyone.
hope all okay.
unfortunately i was admitted to hospital last week again as an emergency due to the HG. this time they kept me in for 5 days and i do feel a bit better. on the plus side- as i was in hospital, they treated me to an early scan to cheer me up and i'm pleased to say all looked well- good strong heartbeat!!!!! i was surprised as i thought i might have thrown it up as i've been so violently ill but it was there!!!! they measured it at 7+1 at the time of the scan which changes my due date to 27/3/12. it was really nice to see. you could see the heart beating so clearly!!!!
xx

feekerry glad you're back out and that you got to see your baby! How do they change your due date? I don't understand as thought the point was that everyone was measured from the first day of their last period but I've read lots of similar posts wheee the date is changed.
Moffit I have my booking in appointment on Thursday when I will be 8+6, it lasts for 2 hours. I then have my scan when I am exactly 11 weeks. can't wait!

Carlitawantsababy i think that up until your first scan the use the date of your last period but when you get your 12 week scan they also call it a dating scan and your due date goes from that. i got a sheet with all the measurements on it and the due date. i presume all development is the same in the first 12 weeks so they go by the measurements? to be honest it only changed it by 4 days. i think they said there was only a small chance the baby comes on the actual due date anyway. when my friend had her dating scan they moved her date by nearly 10 days and she ended up overdue still anyway. if she had gone by the first date of her last period she would have ended up 43 weeks pregnant!
it was amazing tho- you can clearly see its form and its heart beat!

My GP said I was more likely to have the date changed because of my age, or my likely to go overdue.. I'm only 33!

FeeKerry - poor you sounds awful to be so sick. do you have other kiddies to look after? We have the same due date by the way - unless mine changes after scan.