The We Will Brook No Argument for a totally boring and uneventful pregnancy, in which we shall bloom, and a pain-free birth thread, part 3!

[dreamfeeder]

Hands around a mixture of V-shaped pillows, pregnancy pillows, and re-arranges the glittery vom buckets ready.

Gets the jelly snakes going, along with some Cadburys for good measure, and a strategically placed fruit bowl to disguise the unhealthy choices.

Flicks the duster round, sinks down into a comfy sofa and awaits the rest...

I'm very sorry to hear the bad news Bartlet, thinking of you.

Only coming in to glance through quickly as still no time, hopefully I can actually catch up with you all over the weekend - I'm sure so much must have been going on in all this time.

biscuits, I'll be scanned at 20 as usual, then 24, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 weeks. I think I am meant to be growth scanned every 4, but because of my build compared to DH and my carrying so big last time I should have fortnightly scans from 28 weeks. From the twins' thread, I don't think it gets easier, in fact, the consensus seems to be past 24 weeks it is virtually impossible to tell them apart! They can still wedge in behind each other a bit etc I'm really worried about this movement thing, I find it hard to tell already, and remain paranoid and convinced something will go wrong, and I won't even notice... tilder, so far, mine are also active at night, like DD who was a nightmare sleeper for the first few months

The placenta migrates a bit, plus the bean'll be growing like wildfire biscuits, and has probably turned round about 10,000 times already!

ooh, yeah, how was the nappy free night ninja?! I guess no news is good news in this situation. I'd be on here ranting if I'd had to do 3 sheet changes and pajama changes

Oh well, it sounded like great logic though.....

In a away then it's good you'll be being scanned so often in that that will at least allow you to locate the twins quite frequently?

You're just going to have to bite the bullet though Dream and if in any doubt get yourself checked!

Scarlet, very jealous by your Christmas shopping! dream, I've barely started mine either - I have a total of one present. Oh dear. Maybe I'll make a start now (stuck in London waiting for a class later..)

Would definitely go with two bracelets dream - but I imagine you'll constantly be worried movement wise. I mean, I'm constantly worried (I am a worrier, mind!) and I only have one to worry about!

Have had lots of cramping and pain today, over the course of about 4 hours, which is worrying me a bit.. seems to have dissipated so I'm trying to ignore it.. I've also found that moving helps, so am currently dancing around my chair like a mad woman. Might help burn some of the extra calories from the insane amount of eating I've been doing too..!

I've nearly done all of my xmas shopping...and some of it is wrapped...

Two bracelets sounds very confusing dream! I agree with biscuits - any worries push for help.

I have my 24 week scan tomorrow. Am hoping my notch has disappeared and the baby is a bit bigger. DD slight nightmare today, no naps and bad eating due to bottom canines appearing so am thinking maybe dd2 could just stay in? If she does come out then she definitely won't be weaned until she leaves home!

Hi ladies, I hope everyone is feeling well?

I'm trying to be an early Christmas shopper this year, I've resolved to buy everything on Amazon if humanly possible (yay for post). So far I've loaded up my Amazon shopping basket with all my pressies over the last 2 weeks. I have one left to choose and then I'll be hitting "purchase"! The only minor snag is this doesn't include DH. I have NO IDEA what to get him. I just want to get everything else ordered though, and I can worry about DH later...

I'm not exactly sure how these count the kicks bracelets work, but it sounds like the kind of thing tailor-made to make me obsess! I'm hoping to get used to the approx amount of movement the baby makes, and then I'll HOPEFULLY notice if there is a significant change. On the bracelet system, if it goes from 30 kicks in one day to 20 kicks another day I won't know if that's just me forgetting to keep track or if the baby is actually moving less! So I think the bracelet might just stress me out. I'm also unsure that there's much the docs could do if the baby suddenly stops moving...

However I'm still in the bury-my-head-in-the-sand stage when it comes to baby kicks! Maybe once they're no longer ignorable I'll realise why it's necessary to track them!

I do hope Bartlet and her family are doing okay today.

I'm in the 'under-prepared for Christmas' camp

I have bought a book off eBay as one small pressie, nothing really for DS yet (eeek!!) and have thought of a couple of other things that I still need to buy.

Really need to pull my finger out and get organised.....

Scream I know what you mean about it being hard to keep track of the kicks, but I don't necessarily think its true that there's nothing the docs can do if baby stops kicking? I am sure there are circumstances where there is nothing to be done, but often I think they can monitor you and determine if bean is in any sort of distress. If found early enough they may even deliver or whatever if they think it necessary. Of course more often than not, the baby is fine if you go in to get checked but I am sure there are things they can do if they spot a problem iyswim.

Sorry, that all sounds a bit dramatic, but if you ever notice a change in movements I would hate for you to not to do anything and assume that you'd just missed the movements?

Oh, and on the bracelets I think it only counts up to 10 or so anyway, which is (slightly controversially from what I've read) what they say should be there as a minimum. But then I recall Dream saying her dd was super wriggly and if there were only 10 kicks that would have been a problem. But I was thinking I might start with it on one wrist, count to 10 and then swap arms and start again? I'm not sure yet as nothing to even consider a pattern yet.....

Anyway, apologies of that all sounds a bit OTT....

I'm having a cooking disaster day today. I burnt my toasted cheese sandwich twice at lunchtime. I had to start again after the first burnage as I can't abide burnt toast .

Then I've made chilli for yea, but burnt that a bit too. Ordered a pizza for DH and me (guilty) but DS had to eat it (bad mother!!). But then it was spicier than I thought and he gave it a good go, but really couldn't do the spiciness of it.

Oh dear - not my finest kitchen moments today!

I am just so too busy to think about Christmas presents yet! I have a 7000 word portfolio to hand in, a nativity play to rehearse and perform with 50+ small children and an end of term party to organise.EEK!
I found out last night that my younger sister is expecting her first baby about a week after me!
Off to make tea now as I have a work meeting tonight(yawn!)

scream I think the idea is that you get yourself checked out if you notice the movements have reduced or suddenly seem less than what you've been used to. In which case getting the docs to check you over could mean the difference between life and death. When I was pg previously I was very on the ball with noticing the movement, but I was sitting at a desk all day then daydreaming about not being at work any more. This time I'm so busy with my toddler the bracelet will hopefully be a reminder to pay attention more than anything. Babies do seem to establish a routine in the womb and you will know if you're paying attention to it whether things seem unusual or not.

If the baby has stopped moving completely that's a different kettle of fish altogether.

Anyway, it's only £3.50 so if it's not helpful it'll go in the bin.

Cross posts about counting the kicks Biscuits

Luckily my DS loves burnt toast (which is a good job really)

Re Christmas shopping I was to find I'd got £200 worth of nectar points. I've never spent them, just kept adding each time in Sainsburys. So I've managed to get quite a bit for the kids I buy for from Argos which was so easy. Reserved it all online then just went down with my nectar card and collected. It's great, I feel like I've got it all for free!

Having looked at the count the kicks thread on here scream there are some shocking statistics and stories. The UK has the worst stillbirth rate in Europe- 17 a day. People are being told old wives tales, like 'the baby stills before they're born', so women at or near term are ignoring reduced movements, some with devastating effects. Placental problems or cord round the neck seem to be a common cause of stillbirth, but there were also very lovely stories where people did go in in time through recognizing reduced foetal movements. They then check you and baby, and some were delivered in the nick of time. I will definitely badger if I'm worried, its far too important not to! Most important in last trimester it seems, so learn their patterns well by then. Needs to be kicks not general movement too, as babies who've died still float around in the amniotic fluid giving s feeling of movement according to the mn thread. Bit of a serious post, but its a seriously subject, and is why I'm worried about knowing which is which for me.

I have taken the plunge and am bidding on a monster buggy on eBay, as fishcakes childminder has as they're not that common and the seller can deliver as their inlaws are near us. Gulp... Must get jinxing phobia out of my head!

I'm getting nervous about my lack of preparation for Christmas now, must get on with present buying!!!!

hello! I can't believe you've started your Christmas shopping already! I tend to do mine at the beginning of December as my family are massively unorganized about what they want.
Well last night was nappy free night number 2. It didn't go well. Bed and pj change at 1.30 and again at 6.30. Poor DS he really wants to be dry at night but I just don't think he's physically ready yet as he doesn't wake up till after he's weed. Will see how tonight goes and then maybe back to pull ups tomorrow night if no improvement.
I don't really know anything about the count the kicks campaign, will have to check out the website. I'm going to make my booking in appointment tomorrow for next Thursday so at least then I'll feel a bit like things are progressing. Off to catch up a bit more now, back later.

oh my goodness, I have indeed bought a monster buggy, used til the daughter was over 4 (!!!!) so a pretty old monster buggy, for the bargain sum of £585.... I never thoguht it'd go for that much, I was using a bid sniper and thought it would be a good £100 at least less... (but obviously I set my total high so I must have been prepared to pay it, she says to herself in a reassuring way...)

Well done dream I admire you being so organised. I expect you probably need to be though with you having twins. Plus you don't know if you'll be feeling up to it by the third trimester. Just out of interest, how much would the buggy have been if bought brand new?

I think it would be £999.99 plus £214.99 shipping. It's a phil and ted designed ABC adventure buggy, imports only, NZ manufactured. Hence the prie. The only reason is they can help with delivery. A couple of others have come up on ebay, but all down south, such beasts they're all collection in person only (unfeasible) so seemed a good opportunity. Crazy bidding on it so my theory is should anything happen to the babies I'll just whack it back on ebay....

Congratulations on being the proud owner of a monster buggy dream! Just think, it's still much cheaper than a lot of other buggies and it will fit three children! And you are going to get so fit pushing all of them up hills

I just want to second what everyone else said about movement. I actually did get some monitoring because of reduced movement. I hung back after an antenatal class and very apologetically said I thought I had felt a bit less movement. The midwife took it very seriously and hooked me up to a monitor to watch DD's heartrate, bump palpated and blood pressure taken for a good hour or so. And she sent DH home for my hand held notes so that everything could be properly recorded. Everything was absolutely normal but at no point did they make me feel silly for mentioning it. They were very clear that they would rather I said- apparently reduced movement can be one of the first signs that the baby isn't happy. If things really aren't good then they can be delivered pronto, or you can be admitted and monitored to see if action needs to be taken.
Anyway, long story short- a good midwife would rather see you and it be nothing than have you sit at home and it is worth getting things checked.

Am totally having Christmas shopping envy! I have bought nothing. We are doing secret santa this year and I do now know who I am buying for, so I had better get on with it. Plus have DH's and Dsis's birthday before Christmas too!

It is true fishcake, but as someone who bought nothing at all new for DD, and spent £175 out of wedding vouchers we hadn't got round to spending on our current pushchair at 9 months old I can't quite believe I did it! I was only looking at them as you'd mentioned it, and I thought best get an idea of what we need to shell out. Anyway, it's done. Now I have to hope the seller doesn't change his mind about bringing it up to his mother-in-laws who lives near us, as to spend the petrol money going all the way down to Stratford-on-Avon for it would be rubbish!!!

Right. Tomorrow my mission is to start badgering family for what they want for Christmas....

Quick one to say all good at scan yesterday. Est weight is 5lb! All should be ok from now on in - weeee! Very chuffed hawthers

Hooray Hawthers. How many weeks have you got left until you are due now?

congrats hawthers, great news!!

great news hawthers

35 weeks today so only 2 weeks until I reach term

Fantastic news Hawthers, not long now then. Very exciting.

Sounds like a bargain then dream. And nothing is going to happen to the babies