March 2012 - buxom and blooming in the second trimester (we wish!)

[FlipFantasia]

Here you go ladies, somewhere for all soon-to-be March mums to share the ups and downs

For the record my appetite is back with a vengeance!

Santa that hammock looks fab!! Looks like quite a lot of money for just a couple of months though. Still want one though!!

DH felt the baby kick for the first time today. So special

I've been getting heartburn recently, worse at night so I've bought some rennie tablets, sugar free due to the GD. My belly button has almost popped out now, the top half is well and truly out but the bottom half there a little hole still.

I'll be (hopefully) using the moses basket and stand that we were bought last time for this baby, still wrapped in the loft at the moment. Not sure how long it'll last for though. With dd1 her moses basket lasted for about 4 months as she was small and slow to grow but with ds1 is lasted a matter of weeks as he grew at a massive rate!

Aww it's lovely when others can feel the baby too :)

Had a doppler scan today and all was well, very relieved about that, blood flow is all looking fine at the moment. Briefly discussed birth options too and it's another relief to know that my consultant is happy to take things as they come and will induce by 37 weeks. As Scarlett died at 37 weeks though she did say they'd see how things went and could do so before but the issue would be if inducement would work. She also said that it may be earlier anyway depending on how my sugar levels are going so it's basically see how things go. Not ruled out a section yet either. Next scan will be 28 weeks unless something happens before or I'm anxious. I was surprised when she said they'd be happy to scan me weekly if that would help me! Such a difference to the previous hospital. She's a really brilliant consultant.

Cheese - I am so glad that you are having a good experience with this consultant. It makes the world of difference doesn't it? I feel like mine is a long lost friend this time around whereas last time I hardly saw her. Great news about the blood flow too. It must be reassuring to have everything checked, even though you can't take anything for granted.

Heartburn! I had it terribly last time around but its only sporadic with this pregnancy. I find Gaviscon is good - the mint flavour one. I just glug it straight from the bottle whenever I get symptoms and it goes away almost immediately. Not sure if you can get sugar free...worth checking though.

Knitterati - glad you approve of the hammock - I agree about the price but they seem to go cheaper on Ebay so I'm hoping to go down the second hand route if we decide to get one. As you say, they get used for such a short period of time that a second hand one would be as good as new!

Just had my 25 week check up with the midwife and everything went well.

Heard the little ones heart beating away which was lovely.

Got my MATB1 form so just filled that in!

She did seem surprised that i went on my own but i never thought to invite DP along!

cheese glad you're bein well looked after.

Got my mw appt next thurs but my matb1 is due in on Fri had to ring personnel and check ot was ok cos I couldn't get an appt this week they said ot was fine. I asked dp if he wanted to goto first mw appt but haven't bothered since not gonna get anything out of it really o don't think they seem pretty standard providing nothin is wrong I guess if there were probs then maybe j would get him to come bit not worth my stress i don't think!

Gaviscon is my best friend. Have had evil heartburn since about 12 weeks and also happily drink it straight from the bottle. I tried the Gaviscon tablets for handy carrying around in bag but they reduce to thick chalky coating on teeth when chewed which was so gross I can't face them again unless I get super desperate.

Gaviscon bottle now sits happily on my desk at work so I can gaze at it lovingly.....

Urgh so I had a surprise ambush meeting at work today about my role, which I've been told is 'at risk of redundancy'.

I can basically accept the new crappier position within the team (which they won't expect/force me to because it's a lower band than currently), look around the company for something else (who'd want someone who's about to go off on maternity leave?) or accept the redundancy package. It's weird, the package seems like a better deal than I'd get if I went on mat leave (as it'd be severence + mat leave as I'd be within 15 weeks of EWC) and I knew this was a risk, but I still feel pretty numb & mixed up about it all.

I'm meant to be sleeping on all of this, but not doing much sleeping right now.
DH is happy as it'd mean a lump sum, but I get out sooner and with more money than I would have otherwise, but it's really bothered me - maybe because this all seems on their terms, not mine.

A friend likened the situation to being dumped by a crap boyfriend - emotional, but you know you're better off without him!! Not sure I'm even going to bother trying to look at discrimination/unfair dismissal. Taking the money and running seems like the path of least resistance/stress right now.

Baby is fine & is my light at the end of a tunnel. DH took me out for a nice dinner to cheer me up and had a little glass of champagne (just a taster glass we didn't even get charged for) to celebrate the potential of new beginnings. Now the worry/guilt of that 'wee dram' of booze!

Anyway, sorry for the long and miserable post. Hope to come back with a more positive outlook about it all once it's had time to settle.
X

Knitterati

Didn't want to read and run so appologise for a short post. Are there any grounds for discrimination/unfair dismissal? If there could be you could try asking for more money and see what happens. It never hers to try and might make it feel like it's less on their terms.

Sorry to hear that you're having to deal with all this right now but despite being unexpected it sounds as though it's potentially a good thing for you (come over and join the funemployed!!!)

Dont worry about the glass of fiz either. Some people have nothing for 9 months, others have the odd glass every now and then. It's personal choice and the guilt is probably worse for you than the booze!

Knitterati

Sorry to hear your employers are being twats, hope it seems a little less crap for you today. Maybe your DH is right (it happens sometimes) and it would be less stress for you to just take the money and run.

I wouldn't worry about the Fizz tho, think you deserved it after that bombshell. There was a thread on here yesterday about all the naughty things other mum-to-be's were doing and some of those have had their 2 units every week and everything is fine :)

Knitterati hope you have made your decision and you are not too stressed over it, personally I would take the money and run!
monkeybaby2 Gaviscon is also my best friend, do you mind sharing?? I have a bottle right next to the bed as i get the heartburn worst at night, though think I may be taking a swig out of the bottle in the next few mins as well! Tastes gross though. I take Rennies when out and about, they are pretty good for relief when you get that horrible burning at the back of your throat!
I have another scan on Monday, hopefully will be able to find out which team we are on then. Think I have been having a few kicks as well, that or I have a very bubbly tummy!
24 weeks tomorrow, which means viability! 16 weeks does not seem that long off now

knitterati sorry to hear that hope you sort it soon. Wouldn't worry bout the fizz think about all those people who dont alter their habits throughout pg and are fine.

I haven't experienced the need for gaviscon yet but already got it in repeat as dp suffers badly and it'd there if and when I need it!

I must say 16 weeks does seem not long at all all a bit scary!

Thanks all for your support - it means a lot, because I'm supposed to be keeping quiet at work about it, so not that many people know in RL / at work.

There are probably grounds for unfair dismissal, but I think it's going to be more hassle that it's worth. So erring on the take the money & run tactic if I can - providing they don't try and redeploy me!

DH wants me to get signed off with stress, but I'm not sure ... Just feel a complete fraud. But he probably has a point - probably only slept 2hrs last night after all the worry.

I like the term funemployed that made me

Hmm. Sorry - didn't mean to hijack the thread, but thanks again for the support.

Had a bit of acid at the weekend, but a glass of milk seemed to help...it sounds like I might need to buy a pre-emptive bottle of gaviscon!

Cooeee!

Just joining the group..Didn't want to launch anywhere until now due to previous miscarriages. Am 24 - 25 weeks now so am just starting relax that fear and shift neurosis to childbirth. What fun. Hope all's well tonight x

Welcome to the gang Peapod1, congratulations and good vibes for your pregnancy coming your way. I completely understand how you feel about delaying the excitement as have been there myself. I have felt a lot more confident about things in the past couple of weeks so am beginning to relax more. It's a nice bunch on here, a great source of advice and giggles!

Thanks Norfolk! Yes a nice bunch though I was momentarily taken aback by knitterati's admission that she'd "Had a bit of acid at the weekend", but was soon able to put this into context and burp in understanding.

Haha! Oops! Meant acid reflux!!
(nevermind the taster of fizz she had, you wanna see the amount of acid she has)!!

Welcome peabody!

Oops meant peapod. Damn baby-brain

Welcome welcome Peapod

Bought my very first Christmas pressie today now I am slightly panicing about buyin the rest!!

Finding sleep very uncomfortable again :( struggling even with me pillow to find a comfy position.

Lookin into some pre-natal excerise groups atm anyone suggest anything?

Hope the weekend is good :D

I know what you mean about sleep Dragon
I have taken to sleeping on the sofa for the past week as I have found it to be much softer and eassier to get comfortable on. Poor dh was rather miffed at first, but now likes having the bed to himself whilst accepting that a less tired, happier me makes for a happier home life!

I had another scan today and I am on Team Pink! DP is still slightly dubious despite the Dr showing him quite clearly on the scan a cavity between the legs and lack of dangly bits!
I am having trouble getting comfortable of a night too, i can't roll over to the other side on my tummy any more, watching a programme on elephant seals and walrus's showed me how elegant I must look when trying to turn over on my back or trying to haul myself out the bed! I have taken to top and tailing with Dp in bed which gives me loads more room as he is a bit of a snuggler and now he rubs my feet during the night instead bliss!
Knitterati If you do decide to leave might be worth looking into constructive dismissal, if you feel they have really left you no choice but to leave.
Hello Peapod nice to have you on board!

Aww! Congrats dorcas go team pink!
Good idea topping & tailing. Have you got a maternity pillow or similar? That helps me get comfy. Even if getting out of bed isn't the most agile of movements!! Know how you feel!!

I've been signed off work with stress this week - just couldn't face going in today & wound up in the Dr's surgery blarting away not sure where it will leave me with redundancy - I just want out now! Had enough of their crap and realised I don't have to put up with it.

In other news - I saw my midwife go into the house across the road from me & I happened to be putting the recycling out...think my neighbour across the road must be expecting too! Not sure whether to go across & offer my congrats & moral support or wait until they say something. Guessing its early days - the 8wk booking in appt as that's normally only when they go to you. Think I'm going to wait. WWYD?

Knitterati - good idea not going into work. There is nothing more demoralising than having to sit around in that kind of atmosphere. I'm so glad they are offering you a financial package to leave. You can enjoy your mat leave and look for something new (and, who knows, maybe totally different) when the baby is a bit older (bills allowing!). I have met so many women who faced redundancy or a "take it or leave it" ultimatum about coming back to work full time and they all had to go through stress and a difficult period of change but they are ALL without exception much, much happier now as a result. I hope you are one of them.

Welcome Dorcas to team pink! I'm blithely assuming I'm on team pink even though the consultant said she wasn't entirely sure. 25 weeks now and the water retention is kicking in. My eye bags look puffy and my chin has lost a little definition and I feel like a blob!

I will be 24 weeks this Friday and its team blue for me. Think I finally have a name for DS2 but I may well change my mind before March lol.
Has anyone else fretted over names? I have really really struggled this time round to find a name that myself and partner like.

Getting a lovely bump now and feeling a lot better too.
Hope everyone is enjoying their pregnancies.

knitterati Sorry to hear that work has made you ill, but glad you are getting sometime off. I had a similar situation a few years ago, though obviously wasnt pregnant as well, but I became ill through work and ended up having to be off work for 5 months! You dont have to put up with it and you have to make sure that you dont allow them to stress you out anymore, you have more important things to concentrate on.
I haven't found anywhere that does maternity pillows here but I will be getting one when I am back in the UK (2 1/2 weeks yey!)
Santa my hands are a little bit swollen and my feet, well i knew they were a little bigger but tried on a pair of shoes that I last wore in March when they were a bit too big for me, now i can't even squeeze my feet into them!
butterflies We always knew what name we were going to use if we had a girl (which we are) but I was really stuck on a boys name as between us DP and I have 11 nephews and my favourite names had already been used.

After feeling fine the past few weeks am starting to get really tired again, anyone else, or am I just being a lazy drama queen?