May 2013 - we've seen our babies and our trousers are tighter as we enter the second trimester!

[SevenElvesAndAReindeer]

Shiny new thread. Come and grab a and a .

sea how lovely! Congratulations! How is your sickness now? Have you found any food you like now?!

berri aw!

reeny that sounds tough for you. Yay for cuppa 's knowledge! FWIW my dh isn't getting any yet due to placenta issues and if he dared complain I would give him what for! He will just have to wait for the good stuff!

My baby has been a right wriggler! I can feel its kicks with my hand on my tum now when lying down which is so reassuring. Even tho I have ds it is so weird! 18+3

Think I posted too soon this morning. Had a sudden rush of water today (so that my underwear was very wet, though not at all like going to the loo - completely involuntary). Went straight to hospital and saw the consultant, who said that it wasn't amniotic fluid (thank god) but discharge (a lot of it). If it continues it could weaken the amniotic sack. They have tested for infections - results on Monday, and I'm on complete bed rest for a week. All I could think of was LittleB, I am so scared for the baby and feeling very far away from home. Had the loneliest taxi ride in the world to the hospital on my own, unable to get hold of DH and with no-one else to call here in Singapore. I don't think I've ever felt that alone before. DH made it in time for the appointment and he's being very supportive. I keep crying but am trying to be positive.

seasalt goodness me that must have been so lonely and scary, especially as you say after what happened to littlebairn. Thoughts are with you and your baby boy ((hug)).

Right, off to catch up but couldn't read and not reply

Caught up, but can't remember all of who said what.

reeny I don't have a great deal of medical knowledge but I agree that you sound very strong and courageous not to let your problems hold you back, you'll make an excellent mum to your LO.

Congrats on your boy 10.

scooby I agree your MW sounds a bit poor tbh. Even if she thought it was pointless trying to find the heartbeat she should have still felt your belly. I'd try to see someone else tbh. With DD I saw a young cover MW for my 16 week check, she didnt bother with the heartbeat. I'd already been feeling movements which had decreased, I saw my usual MW the following week for reassurance, she was very annoyed that the cover MW hadn't checked.

Me and DH are just doing stockings for each other this year, we've agreed it's more for the kids. I've bought him a new electric shaver, a wallet, a mug with a picture of the DCs printed on it and some aftershave, plus a few hankies and little bits to bulk it out.

frankie hope you get the rodent issue sorted out pretty quick! Do you get cheap rent from your dad? If not I'd still be trying to get him to pay some of it tbh, it's still his house, if he rented it to anyone else he'd be paying the whole cost so can't really complain!

Sympathies to those dealing with house buying and moving issues and stress. We recently sold a property which took months. I'd advice using a local solicitor and trying to buy from someone else doing the same if possible, our buyer had to use a national solicitor under the banks mortgage terms, they took forever to do anything and rarely replied to messages when he called them, at least if they're local you can go in and give them a kick up the backside!

DD has terrible nappy rash which has turned into some kind of viral infection, it's now spread all up her belly and back and across her thighs :(. I'm doing a charity street collection tomorrow, not looking forward to standing out in the cold all day though. Still, I have a Santa hat, and hoping everyone will be feeling festive and generous!

seasalt that sounds really scary, you poor thing. I hope you are able to get some bedrest. It wasn't amniotic fluid tho, but they are being cautious? Which is good news? (sorry if I have it wrong) Good luck for your test results on mon, and hope you are ok and keep coming on here if you want to chat

oh seven your poor dd. good luck for the collection!

scooby I was wondering, if you do want to listen-in do you have any drop-in MW clinics around you? We have about three within two miles of me, I would just pop along on a tues aft and wait to be seen. Can be quite a wait at these things but you can ask to listen to the HB and can be good if you need reassuring.

oh dear 10, i hope the sickness goes soon for you.

Seasalt hope all goes ok. Make sure you get the rest they advise. I'm sure the hospitals are great out there. I have worked out there twice and if nothing else is pristine and everything seems to run like clock work which is some comfort

I had my 20 week scan today and it was wonderful. We didn't find out the sex (have two DS) but I am smaller and sicker with less movement so it is leaning towards the fairer sex but you just never know right - which is half the fun IMO. I have had such little movement that I was so nervous everything was growing as should be but it was right on target. I didn't want it to end, I was mesmerised watching the little thing move gently in there, crossing and uncrossing feet, chewing, waving..just mindblowing really. I don't know how I will wait another 19 weeks (expect a section ;-(

Seasalt- sorry to hear of your distress- in sure if it's not amniotic fluid this will all just be a precaution- chill and enjoy your enforced rest :-) must be hard with little support.

Yay out there for the boys! I have a DS and would not at all be disappointed to have nother- he's fab ;-)

To all my fellow movers out there- we have finally had our mortgage approved today ( nearly 4 weeks after starting!) valuation hopefully Monday so hoping Taylor wimpey have some sense and hold our reservation which is now past the standard 4 week exchange demand! ( to be fair sales staff seem fine I just don't trust builders ;-) ) though our new house not finished til end of Feb so time on our side in theory.

Unfortunately buyers insisting want in ASAP so it looks like my parents is beckoning for 6 weeks.... That'll e interesting.

I still recommend either applying online where no one can see bump or doing it through independent advisor who won't care - if mortgage company knows about impending arrival it doesn't half get complicated!!

Thanks to all re comments of MW- she has no kids and doesn't give a fig-same last time And my twin had same with her x3- not well thought of. Sadly she is the ONLY mw attached to my surgery.... I think I'll go and see the lovely maternity gp in jan- beg for a fit note to stop working nightshift ( Indicated she was happy to do so whenever I was ready ) nd discuss my concerns.... ;-). 20wk scan not til 8 jan for us..... A week before move out date!

For the last couple of days I have had a pain on my left side towards my back under my ribs. Any idea what it could be ? Thought it was a windy pain but its continuing.

seasalt I hope you're doing ok :( Another expat here so I totally understand how lonely it can be. Sounds like it's an infection if they've said it's not your fluid, which hopefully means it's been caught early and they'll be able to put you on antibiotics to clear it up? Focus on your lovely little chap and take care of yourself

scooby congrats on getting your mortgage approved - make the most of being at your folks for 6 weeks (if possible!) and enjoy being waited on for a while!

reeny I'm sure your DH will be understanding! Like others have said on here, there are all kinds of reasons why we have to abstain now and again, just think of it long-term.

Poor dd seven, hope that clears up soon. Wrap that bump up warm tomorrow

rachy could it be your kidney - a uti perhaps? Any other uti symptoms? Whatever you do don't google it

Rachy I get pains in my midriff, just under my ribs, mainly on the right but occassionally on the left. I'm fairly sure it's muscles and ligaments, complaining as they get pushed out of the way, from a direction that they're really not used to being pushed!

Fingers crossed for Seasalt, hope you feel better soon and everything is safe and well after the weekend.

ng you said upthread your DD was not eating. My DS is 20 months, and he keeps going through days of barely eating anything, then days of wolfing down loads. I think it's just moods and physical growth swings, not linked to whether he really likes the food or not.

For those considering BF, I can add my story. BF is wonderful, but it's good to have realistic expectations. One thing I only heard from close friends and family, not from any of the official info (and there's a lot here, between MW and parental information sessions and the books I read), is that BF hurts at the beginning! That said, my experience was extreme, as I got mastitis in the first week, and it took me and DS much longer than I'd anticipated to get it together. I stuck it out and I'm really glad I did. But I think new mums need to know that it can be really tough, And if you get an easy start and it all works for you, lucky you! You should ask for help if you want it, look for more help elsewhere if the first person or people you find are not helpful or don't click with you, and to stick it out as long as feels right for you and your baby.

Here, I'm sooo tired of being sick. Feels like I get a couple of days of feeling better before the next bug hits. Bleurgh. It's hard to tell what's the last/next cold, and what's pregnancy mucus and what's winter sinus dehydration....

seasalt I really feel for you. That must have been unimaginably scary to deal with on your own. You've been through lots of big life changes recently so it's no bad thing to have a week of complete rest. Hope it helps, and keeping everything crossed that all is well.

Rhienne sorry you're so poorly. I've had a lingering sore throat for a few days now and been feeling a bit yuck, but fortunately it hasn't developed into anything serious. This time of year is a bit rubbish if you can't take decongestants!

Anyone else feeling a bit...well....stressed?? I'm sure it must be hormones, but boy am I ANGRY at the moment. It's affecting my work - I keep firing out peeved emails to people if something doesn't happen properly. It just feels like everyone is a total incompetent! I sound like a bitch, but I'm not normally like this, honest!

To make things worse, there's lots of pressure in the office to work harder and aim higher. I had a 'pep talk' today from a male boss who told me they wanted me to be concentrating on long-term investigations which could take me around the world. And I have to provide all ideas for these by Tuesday. I was a bit . I mean, work is usually a bit like this, but long term??

I'm ashamed to say this, in a way, because it feels like a betrayal of the sisterhood. But I wanted to shout: 'I'M PREGNANT - I couldn't care less about this pathetic job. Stuff your investigations and as for getting me on a plane - pfffrt, little man.'

I have a bit of rage today

beaver don't worry, a bit of rage is totally acceptable in our preggie state . I find some of those fancy triple choc chip freshly baked cookies from the supermarket usually helps a bit It was my old flatmate and my cure for PMS rage/blues/existential crises (we would turn up armed with them to cheer the other one up) and has been working a treat in this pregnancy! No betrayal of the sisterhood made at all... Sometimes having people be tactless and insensitive deserves a little rant. Hope you feel better now.

seasalt you poor thing!! Really felt for you out there. Sounds like they are being wise and cautious and on Monday you will be able to get treatment for the infection if that is what it turns out to be. Good that these things are v treatable. Big hugs for you xx

Am sitting here still feeling choked up having cried watching the news from America. It was watching Obama struggling in his statement that made both of us cry. Why children??? What the hell???? It feels terrifying to even think about, those poor people....

seasalt congrats on your little boy! Sorry the rest of the week has been so stressful. Hope you're tucked up in bed. Can DH take some time off? As for the discharge-I have lots and lots and lots too. Have done all pregnancy. I have to wear a panty liner otherwise I'm pretty soaked . I had it last time too so I'm not worried. I hope you get some reassurance from the docs soon x

Reeny it's very common for couples not to have sex during pregnancy and quite a while after! I'm sure you DH would be very touched that you're worrying about it but I bet he will fine with it.

I've not posted for so long that this thread is no longer on my threads 'I'm on'. I'm sorry if I've missed anyone.

Anyone wake huge? I look way bigger than 17 weeks. People are shocked when I say I'm due in May . I've put on close to a stone!

Thanks everyone for the messages, really appreciate it, it has made me feel much less alone over here! It's really good to know from the doctor that it's not amniotic fluid, and they should be able to give me antibiotics straight away if there turns out to be an infection, so I'm feeling a bit calmer. I'm resting (been horizontal all day, as per doc's orders) and we've been told not to have sex (though to be honest I haven't been feeling much in the mood anyway).

Maybe thanks for the info - that's made me feel so much better. It was such a shock - no discharge at all for the whole 17 weeks and then whoosh, out it all came at once. So strange. Panty liners are a great idea, I'll buy some when bed rest is over. Fingers crossed the tests come back clear on Monday.

Thanks again everyone for the support.

I've been using panty liners too, usually 2 or 3 a day. I checked with the doc on Weds and she said it's very normal especially with 2nd pregnancies. You only need to be worried if it's itchy or particularly smelly.

Isn't the shooting news terrible . I was in tears yesterday afternoon too, had to turn the news off as I was so upset and I thought it's just not good for the baby for me to be sobbing. I still well up when I think about how scared those poor children must have been. I know it's unusual, but events like this just make me want to move home to the UK

I've been using panty liners for a few weeks too, I use the thin carefree ones.

DDs rash got worse, she's now covered in it from head to foot poor thing, I think it's itchy too, she's had some piriton but the redness continues. Street collection went ok, we raised just over £165.

Thanks 10 and Wirra. Much calmer today. It's a very strange thing spending your life determined to do well and carve yourself a good career - all things I've achieved - and in a way I've never really appreciated that achievement until now, when I'm preparing to let it all go. And the fact is that I don't particularly feel forlorn about that. I just can't wait for the next bit.

Glad you're feeling less alone SeaSalt. And sex?? Pah. I feel soooo unattractive at the moment that I genuinely don't care. And DH and I are generally very tactile and loving, so it's not something I feel I'm really missing. I still have the affection.

Guess what?? We've seen a Possible House. In Norwood, so very far away from anything, really. But the right price. And it's pretty much everything we want - room for improvement and extension, a garden and plenty of room. It's just....in Norwood. And not in a particularly nice part. Ho hum.

18+5

And why do they call them panty liners?? Barf.

Because they line your panties
Barf

A dirty old man must have first named them 'panty' liners ( I'm not sure this is the right emoticon but it looks like the face I'm making right now)

Hi Seasalt - yes I'm a GP, sorry you've had a scare, hope you're managing to relax, difficult I know! Hope results on Monday fine, it can be quite amazing how much discharge we can produce in pregnancy, Ive also found myself with wet knickers once or twice when forgot liners, it only tends to be a problem to the amniotic sac if there is an untreated infection, if ordinary watery non pink/brown/smelly discharge it tends to be harmless- congrats on your boy though

beaver good luck with the house! I know what you mean about career, I've put babies on hold for such a long time to get my training done but at the end of our lives we're not going to be looking back thinking I wish I spent more time at work!

Scooby glad things coming together for your move, we're going to be moving at the start of Feb, exciting but going to be pretty tiring and hard work! Agree your midwife sounds a bit rubbish, maternity GP should have a listen for you if you ask though. At my 16 wk appt MW was really flustered about me being a doctor even though I was nice as pie and didn't say a word, I had a student MW in as well and she was fine, not a bit flustered and asked if she could have a go finding the heartbeat and did no bother thankfully! She maybe hadn't read my notes though but was actually nice to be treated like a normal patient and have the Doppler explained to me and be told she could hear a wee kick - very sweet!

I've been feeling a few movements for the last few days and had some quite strong kicks 2 days ago, been much quieter today though and been a bit paranoid, think I might play with the Doppler at work again on Monday if not having more movements, so pathetic!

18 + 3