Due in May: the 2nd trimester, more glowing and less throwing

[Yorky]

Before the other thread bursts!
Thanks Miko for the title!

Thanks myweeangel - had it been nice and sunny out I might have snuck across, but the pouring rain didn't encourage me to walk over there!!

Reading about flu jab reminded me - my doctor's surgery has run out of flu vaccine!!! I've had to be put on a waiting list, rubbish! Wish I'd got it sorted sooner!

dreamingofanallotment - I am getting flu jag on Monday, mentioned it to MIL today and she was all 'oh is that not bad for pregnant woman?' 'Um, no, it's recommended.' 'Oh, hmmm, I was always so worried about taking anything when pregnant...' Cue a lot of talk about thalidomide! The woman is rather mad.

Our interesting news is that my husband's dad will be a father again come March! Yup, he and his third wife are - accidentally - expecting, rather bizarre for dh. Not that his dad has told him yet, his brother told him. Dh's dad has been an absolutely rubbish father so I'm not his greatest fan.

Impressed by your ironing catsy, I can never face it! And for you and tara and cupcake (welcome!) I have had two very good experiences with birth, it does happen and it can get better. If you don't mind some rather over the top new agey-ness the book Birthing from Within is quite good for exercises to get you ready for labour. I am getting a hypnobirthing CD. Last time I had a relaxation track which was great, just generally, and I think helps me get into good mindset for labour.

tostaky - Hope you got some bargains!

My ds is still ill. Very frustrating, poor lad, but doesn't have any really bad symptoms, just a tiny temperature, madly snotty nose and under par in general.

I had my flu jab yesterday - all fine except the usual sore arm.

I managed to get a couple of skirts with stretchy waistbands for work (one from Zara, one from H&M) to see me through until I need actual maternity clothes. I have the whole 'flat stomach in the morning, bloating increasing through the day' thing going on so need comfort!

Two days to go until my 16 week appointment with the midwife. Weirdly started to feel a bit stressy about it today. Have been really laid back since I've gone into my second trimester but there's always the niggling worries that something won't be okay :(

3 really good birth experiences here - in fact I'm hoping to get a go with gas and air this time, never used it before! part of me is now starting to worry that I'm pushing my luck by having another one and hoping for a repeat performance!
I agree with littlesarah that hypnobirthing CDs are good for pregnancy relaxation although I would never say I'd done hypnobirthing - I bought the set by maggie howell (on ebay) which includes pregnancy relaxation, effective birth preparation, faster recovery and I think a just background music one for during labour - I've never actually listened to the 2nd 2 but the 1st 2 are great for going to sleep to !

Glad people are hearing heartbeats, and counting down to 20wk scans - do you realise that 20 weeks is half way!!

Hope your DS gets better soon, DD had a barking cough and a horrid temperature over the weekend but is much better today and deciding to potty train herself! she's just turned 3 so not too early but it is a relief to think we won't have 3 in nappies in May!

Yorky I had a good birth last time, it was over too fast to work out how to use the gas and air but I used it for the stiches and will definately start earlier next time, it was lovely. Such a nice drunk feeling after having no alcohol for 9 months :)
Chocolate sparkle, this baby was planned for us and I am feeling quite underwhelmed by it atm. Did feel a bit more emotional the other night when I felt it moving though so hopefully will start getting more excited now.

SES I had pain in the buttocks a few times recently which felt quite like sciatica but went away quite fast, was thinking it was just pregnancy relaxing muscles too much. Speaking of which I have a cold just now and sneezing is becoming quite embarressing, really should have done more pelic floor excerices!
Had lots to say in reply to other comments but have forgotten them all by now. My pregnancy brain is shocking, think I would be sacked before the baby came if it wasnt for the fact I work for my Dad.
Still craving terrible food here and not too keen on anything healthy apart from oranges. Can eat immense amounts of salt and vinegar crisps and have very strange craving for milkybar buttons when I usualy hate white chocolate.
We dont seem to have 16 week appointments here (in scotland) for some reason, my next one is after the 20 week scan on 21st dec

Hello new people.

I didn't like gas and air at all, but I hate being really drunk. It was a bit like being stoned I guess which I don't really like either. I guess it depends on how you like being drunk as to whether you'll like it or not! I just found it made me unable to focus on my breathing as I was too busy laughing or crying. The TENS machine was good though, really noticed when the pads fell off.

Got some lovely maternity yoga type pants from Dorothy Perkins today, do comfy. I'd highly recommend them for slobbing at home.

miko weirdly I need purple tights for my works do on Sat so I'll get right down there (hoping I'll still fit into the dress - it has a lot of draping at the front), in my mind I thought if I went for colourful tights it might draw attention away from my huge belly.

littlesarah sadly I can believe your MIL, normal tact and diplomacy just seems to go out the window when it comes to pregnancy, everyone has to have a sodding opinion.

catsy I meant to say before you could try an osteopath for the muscle. I had a recurring problem under my left shoulder blade (don't know why that sounds odd) had seen a chiropracter and GP, turned out the osteopath was the best, not as full on as the chiropracter and explained to me where she thought the problem was coming from, ribs down at my side. I haven't had it since.

I feel for all those with poorly LOs, hope they're on the mend soon.

I'm in denial on the birth process for a while. I didn't like reading ahead in my 'what to expect' book last time and although all turned out well I've lots of other things to obsess think about before then. Like the pub has lost our booking for 10 peeps on Xmas day. Looks like we'll be cooking again.

Hello, can i join you ? My fourth dc is due on 4.5.12. I already have two dds and a ds and have been told at my last scan that iam having a boy so i will have two of each (ds very excited!)

Hey hey, new people!

Glad to hear lots of good birth experiences: I don't think I really understand that at some point a baby is going to have to be born, here.

Wrigglebum, I loved gas and air but then I quite like being drunk. Not on a regular basis, you understand, but I do remember asking the midwife where to buy G&A.

Sorry to hear about all these poorly people: get well soon!

I am on a smug today because I have completed my first assignment for the Open Universaity course I am doing (rubbish timing). But it is done, for the moment. Hooray! I am going to celebrate by making bread and going shopping later: I need a going out dress but can't find a maternity one I like, so may go for plain black with jazzy tights.

Right, off to email assignment to tutor and get kneading.

Hello all I'm still here though have been AWOL due to nightmare week at work with crazy deadline and annoying bosses who just don't understand that when pregnant you can't manage to do 14 hour days in the office anymore and that you need to eat regularly and that getting into the office v v early for a meeting they decided to set up at that time just is a total nightmare!!

Welcome to all the new faces (and mini bumps!!) sorry not to namecheck you all but glad you've come to join us!

I'm now 14+1, still trying to get hold of my MW to get my 16 week appointment booked and really looking forward to hearing the heartbeat as I keep having irrational 'is everything still ok in there' moments!! Also looking forward to scan at 19weeks on 3rd Jan...Christmas will help the weeks pass to get to that point thankfully!

Has anyone else not put any weight on yet I have put just 1lb on since getting my bfp but definitely have a small hardish bump starting to form, but don't feel as though I've lost weight elsewhere to compensate unless I've just lost a load of muscle as I haven't been doing any exercise have been lounging on the sofa most evenings In terms of clothes I can only wear no-mat trousers with the aid of hairbands or am in mat trousers...my black work trousers from Next have been a good buy and aren't too vast which is good.

Right...promise to catch up more again now that work has calmed down!

Hi all! A special hallo to all the new people :)

All going well here - 16w+3. A little sad I don't get to see the midwife until next week (17w+5 I think), but I see a consultant on Friday about my back and pregnancy, which I'm a little worried about.

BlueCrane, I've still put on hardly any weight, but definitely have a noticeable bump! I can sometimes still wear my non-maternity work trousers that I have in a size bigger, but am nearly always in maternity trousers now.

Feeling quite a bit of 'movement' now, but no discernable kicks yet. Think I felt a somersault yesterday though, which took me aback a bit!

Hello, i'm new to all this (first pregnancy and due 31st may), looking through the thread i wish i had joined earlier as i've felt a little lonesome with my 24/7 vomiting and thimble bladder but i can see thats pretty much standard! looking forward to going thorught the rest of this exciting scary time with others in the same boat and hopefully learning from some peoples previous experience. x

Hello ladies:)
Off work for a few days so laying on the sofa with copious amounts of food supplies nearby enjoying my "lady of leisure" status right now.Having my flu jab next week along with 16 wk mw appointment.

LittleSarah hope your wee one will ne back on the bounce soon.
ballroom I've got the same-flat in the morning,bulging in the evening!
Yorky I'm jealous again-no heartbeat for me for another week,had a look at late may bambino's thread-most of the ladies due around the same time have already their 20 weeks appointments booked.Not me again,grrrrr,why I'm feeling left out most of the time .Not to mention that 20 weeks is beyond my timescale just now :(
goodname I'm in Scotland and I have 16 weeks appointment.It might depend on local NHS and their policies.
opener congrats on the assignment but I don't envy kneading the bread.Did it once,hell of a work(sourdough one) but tasted heavenly.
BlueCrane sod the work and their arrangements.Weightwise-stands still here,my friend commented that I must have lost some as my bum is not 'meaty" any more.Cheers for that.

Hello! Lots of chat on here and welcome to all the newbies :)

goodname - reassuring to hear of someone else with the buttock pain and yes, mine disappeared after 3 days.

BlueCrane - I'm also at the stage of symptoms having abated but no definitive movements = worry whether everything is ok. I do have a definite bump though so keep trying to reassure myself with that

Lots been going on with me.

For starters, DH is feeling v stressed and depressed with his job. He wants to just hand his notice in but without anything confirmed for him to switch too, I find that a bit risky! He did have an interview today and they've talked about jobs in either London or Oman

Secondly, I had a consultant appointment on Tuesday (I am high risk for a stupid number of reasons!) and he explained to me that because DS was oblique breech lie, the liklihood is that this one will be too. They will scan me at 36 weeks and if it is oblique, they will arrange for me to go into hospital at 37wks and wait it out with a CS at 39 weeks if nothing has happened before. This is really not what I'd hoped for and not v happy. It is the safest thing to do with an oblique lie though as the risks are too scary.
I really wanted a VBAC though!
(Keep trying to tell myself this is all ifs and buts and all is not lost yet!)

SESthebrave, it's a long time yet, no? I hope that the baby changes position for you but it's early doors (can't remember what size fruit it's supposed to be right now but definitely pear rather than cantaloupe). Fingers crossed it starts behaving!

Can I just say that I know that 14 weeks is ridiculously early for this but I can't definitely feel fluttery movement? It's not wind (thanks, DH) and I'd know it anywhere. I'm so not imagining it: I'd know that feeling anywhere.

opener - thanks, there is a long way to go yet. Just wasn't what I wanted to hear. According to my pg tracker app, baby is the size if a navel orange at 15wks
I'm sure what you are feeling are genuine flutters - v exciting :)

I know what you mean, but I suppose they just want you to be mentally prepared for the worst. Glum bastards.

Foetus sizing comparisons always make me fancy a fruit salad. Is that wrong? Apparently mine is the size of a lemon this week, and its head is the size of a large grape. Excellent.

What fruit is anyone else this week?

Should have said CAN definitely feel movement. Doh.

The fruit comparisons always make me laugh! Last week my baby was the size of a mango....this week it's a turnip! Haha!

I've been thinking I've felt movement the last few days, but I'm not sure - this is #1 for me so I have no comparison. It didn't feel the same as tummy gurgles or wind though.

Hope your DH's job situation is sorted soon SES and hope baby moves too - are there any exercises you can do to encourage baby to lie non-obliquely?

weighs the same as a turnip and is fast approaching the length of a bell pepper. I will be watching Mr Bloom's nursery with renewed interest.

Hello, not much to report here. Ds is still ill although finally seems to be slowly improving! Made mincemeat and then pies yesterday and as i have pastry dough left over I think I may make chocolate tart today....

No definite movement here, although a couple of possibles...

Bluecrane - I don't think I've put on much, but tummy has definitely gotten bigger.

Musical - I see midwife next week, goodname, I am in Scotland (the Borders) and will have 16 week appointment so maybe in your area it is different? I will be 16+4 or something and am really hoping to hear the heartbeat to reassure me all is fine. Musical is your back bad?

Hello to ariane and clueless!

SES - Sorry to hear about your appointment? Is it really so likely that this one will end up oblique breach? How frustrating. But you never know... also why do you have to stay in hospital so long before have CS? Sorry, I don't know much about these things.

LittleSarah - v impressed with your baking! I did make a chocolate cake with DS yesterday but need to be a bit more adventurous. Would live to try doing some mince pies.
Hope your DS continues to improve.

Oltob - lol at new perspective on Mr Bloom!

Thanks for comments on DH and oblique baby!
The reason I'd have to stay in hospital from week 37 is that if my waters break there is no baby's head (or bum for normal breech) preventing the cord falling through and rupturing or strangling the baby if it falls round baby's neck.
It is only(?!) my consultant that has said it is likely to happen again and it is too early to tell at the moment.

SES - Oh lord poor you! At least you'll hopefully get a nice rest in the hospital but fingers crossed this one decides upside down is comfier!

Well I haven't made the tart, what I really fancy - funny you should mention it SES is chocolate cake. Think I am going to make that in a bit. Need to take dd to her piano lesson first.

Very excited it is the first day of advent! Got most of the shopping done and nearly finished two soft toy octopusses for a couple of children I know. Sound a bit mad but they are pretty cute.

How are everyone elses Christmas plans coming along?

I hear ds! Nap is over, he threw up earlier and I'm v much hoping was a one off not a new symptom!

SES I think I'm at the same "fruity" stage as you-15 weeks today.

It doesn't mean that the situation will be the same this time-might be different.Sometimes I don't understand these people in hospitals-is it not possible to determine the position of the baby around the labour?

2 years ago my friend had a very long and exhausting labour-when she finally gave in because she was so tired they performed episiotomy,put BOTH hands inside her,turned the baby and then her DS was finally born.I was absolutely shocked that they never bothered to check the position of the baby when the labour started and after several hours of labour and no sign of the baby why nobody thought 'there's something not so right in here".Not to mention that her recovery was long and painful.She never complained but said afterwards that her 2nd child is her last as she couldn't face the same horror experience again.

I've got the consultant appointment tomorrow-they're supposed to take the blood sample for Down screening-I hope they are going to do something this time.Was a bit disappointed at my 12 week scan-in and out of the door without any information or explanation except "it's so wriggly I can't measure it".Grrr.

limeflower I have had the same thoughts about the baby's position! But I had a scan a couple of days before having ds and a consultant said he didn't think the baby was back to back, when the mw who performed a sweep said she thought he was...I think it's actually very hard for them to determine exactly how the baby is lying, especially as it can turn around during labour.

A good friend of mine was labouring and mws said they could see the head with no hair...both her and her dh were like 'errrm, not in this family, that can't be her head' (she is Italian, all babies in their family have huge mop of dark hair!)...mws were having none of it and turned out baby was bottom down and my poor friend had to push her out that way...so they couldnt even tell by feeling in her case that the head was up at the ribs!! Crazy.

Anyway...
I had 16 wk appointment on Tues it was a waste of time, hmph. Just told me my bloods were clear (had had a letter saying so already), took my blood pressure and checked my urine...then said see you at 28 weeks. Bit disgruntled not to hear hb but thankfully feeling more movements now so hopefully everything's fine.

Sorry not to name check people but I have read every post with interest :) must dash now as dh just come in with lots of shopping