May 2013- boys , girls or the unknown? Over half way there!

[scooby26]

Hi all, new had for may 2013!

Terra Just a quick question.Did you notice a big difference in your pregnancies with your new partner to that of your ex.Im only asking as I had identical pregnancies with ds1 and 2(exp) and this time it has been completely different.Im wondering if it means labour will be different as well

beaver re when to stop work... Am going to stop performing & traveling from April 1st which is 36+3 as it's just too tiring and physical to do safely any longer I think (unless there are any mega easy short sessions in London), but may teach privately a few students as long as I can before the birth (easy to stop or cancel if need be and stop me going loopy waiting for it all to kick off!). With State Maternity Pay will probably have to unfortunately either keep going or stop completely if I want to start getting it though (can't do more than 6 days work total before i am no longer eligible. Stupid rule!), so may have to leave the teaching too as it wont be enough money on its own :(
My advice would be to just go with your own energy levels and don't push it if you are getting really exhausted earlier than you think. Otherwise, you know your own limits, and if you want to stretch your maternity leave further and think you can handle it then maybe just do it whilst keeping the caveat of possibly leaving earlier if you feel you can't cope?

The Scottish tradition in our family is to have the mother's surname in the middle somewhere (not double barrelled), so that is what I have and what our kids will have. They can choose to use it as part of their surname or not when they get older. Funnily there is a screenwriter/director with our exact combination of surnames so we know what it looks like out there in the world.

I don't like doctors - the consultant was very nice but I still don't like them especially when they prod you

So glad you are home 10

:) about the scan seven

Either Ludo or something to do with dolf. artigene

It's okay living with DBro - he's got a job now and we are getting there with the plan for what he is going to do. artigene the relationship with BF is difficult - I want it to work but it is difficult and actually if it was easy I would be worried. It is complex and things but we're getting on with it. And actually not having a clear plan of what we are going to do after the baby gets here makes it worse especially for him (maybe it makes him a bit insecure about us).

Beaut I got told by the physio I used to see (obstetric and women's health physio) that having a baby by a different partner was almost regarded by one of her consultants as having a first baby again. How you have been with other pregnancies is no measure of how you will be with this one. Or something like that.

No idea if that is true or just some wacky theory by one consultant but yep DC3 was a very different pregnancy. I personally put it down to things like I was in my 20's with the first 2 and 30's for DS, he was a boy and they were girls, he was enormous and they weren't, he had an anterior placenta and they didn't. Funnily enough this pregnancy has mirrored my first 2 a lot more so who knows.

Labour was fine though! Apart from the being induced, back to back and stalling at 9.5cm part Third babies/labours are known to be a pain in the arse though :)

Terra that's interesting about the consultant my midwife said much the same.

I was hoping you would tell me labour is easier though.I had two incredibly long labours and second was even longer than first.Oh well I'm asking about my mobile epidural at next midwife appointment

I started doing Erin o 'Briens workout DVD today.Have to say I really enjoyed it so Ive ordered the other one as well.My usual Davina DVDs have been leaving me really puffed so felt it was best to change.

Beaut it was still fairly quick though. Just took a bit of time to get going! I think that's what they generally say about the third one. Tends to be a bit stop/start but once you've properly got going you get on with it.

Once the gel for the induction got working I think I had about 7 or 8 hours of labour. Should have been a couple of hours less if not for that pesky half cm and back to back positioning .

Fingers crossed for a speedy (but not too speedy) labour for you this time :)

My gosh you've all been busy today!

scooby where are you stating for 2 weeks then? So you have to go through the whole completion thing again? I take it you've exchanged on new house .

beaut I thought you were having/wanting a section?

As for starting ML. I forgot to write and hand in my letter! I must do it tomorrow! I'm starting 16th April. I'll be 35+1 but yet will only let me go as far as 38 weeks, so only 3 weeks off. I want to spend some time with my DD. I also want to spend some time getting my head ready! Going to be such a shock.

Suddenly feel ridiculously pregnant. Knackered and achey. No Pelvis issues this time though, so I guess it doesn't always mean it will get worse with each pregnancy.

Must book up a 3/4D scan (what's the difference?).

23+3

Maybe I was wanting a c section.However,DP is worried about coping afterwards.He can only take two weeks off work.He has booked his paternity from the 13th May and can't change it.I hope baby comes whilst he is off.

That's meant to say he is worried about me coping

I could do with a stop/start labour for DC3, DD was only 3 hours! I've had no pelvis issues but having an odd bit of sciatica every now and then.

maybe glad I'm not alone in suddenly feeling massively pregnant. I think the baby must have changed position, I'm enormous today, I even struggled bending down earlier!

scooby hope the next two weeks go quickly for you!

beaut how come your DP has had to book his paternity leave already, presumably his employers know you can't choose when the baby comes? When's your EDD?

For anyone who still needs maternity PJs I ordered some bottoms from M&S and they're so soft and comfy. Only £12.50 a pair, and I just bought seperate PJ tops from Primark for £4 in a larger size, beats £35 a pair from mothercare. We bought DD her first shoes today, hard to believe in 16 -18 months we'll be doing it again!

Seven DPs job is quite specialised and he works away all the time.He runs the jobs and they won't just pull him off a job because Ive had a baby.Thats just the way it is unfortunately.Im just hoping he is working locally near my due date.Edd is 16th

Poor DP he told me he may not be back this weekend and my answer was 'I don't give a shite' Ive just had such a crappy week.Did nothing for birthday and feel like a stupid,fat,pregnant,whining woman in the snow.

I'd be saying more than that! .
I can't imagine doing all this without DH to whine at every evening. I feel hard done by because he is out very evening working-back between 10-10.30. .
When did he say he was back, beaut?

Ha! Bend down. I haven't been able to do that for a couple of weeks or two. Kids at school find it hilarious.

I've scares myself tonight. I have a skin tag/ mole on my back of hip that has suddenly gotten huge. Showed it to DH and even he can see its grown. Is this pregnancy related? Or should I be rushing to GP tomorrow morning .

Maybe--- last time I had some miles/ skin tags that grew and Pparantly it's a side effect of pregnant and nothing to worry about. That said if you are concerned go get it checked

Hello all, thank you for the thoughts on surnames. Still resolutely undecided... hadn't considered the coherent family argument. But I'd never change my surname if we got married. Hmmmmm so difficult....

Slightly envious of 3D scans and also people doing exercise vids. I have 3 new ones specially for pg and have done one (once), watched one and left one in the plastic wrapping (spelling failure for the word for that beginning with an s sound but probably spelled with a c - anybody? anybody?). I'm actually struggling to feel appropriately embarrassed except by my overenthusiastic purchase fever...

Re mat leave, I'm starting mine on my due date but taking all my annual leave before it, so leaving work 10th April to start ML on 8th May (DD).

Good work on the stats there, btw roastpotatoes. I struggle to remember who said what on the page before...

Another massive one, have to bend my knees to do laces etc, it's all very awkward. Ms Boots has been very, very active, too, which is nice but also a bit like having a facial tick in your tummy. IYSWIM.

Cellophane!

maybe I've definitely heard of skin tags getting bigger/appearing in pregnancy. Something to do with all those pesky extra hormones no doubt. I second scooby though that it can't hurt to get it checked out if it puts your mind at rest.

beaut chin up chuck, hope you're feeling better soon. And you're not stupid or fat, and being pregnant means you're allowed to whine. Remember you're doing a great job, you're growing new life inside you, that truly is amazing.

Bit of an unexpectedly dramatic day unfortunately. I went to an eye specialist this morning as I had an issue with my vision earlier in the week. I was expecting to be back at work within an hour or so but was referred straight on to a cardiologist and have now had two ECGs and an ultrasound on my heart as well as being strapped to a portable ECG overnight tonight and having to go back for further tests tomorrow. I'm a bit scared - it's putting life into perspective. I know I'm seeing in good hands but I'm frightened for the future - I want to be well for the baby and to live the rest of my life with my amazing DH. It will be ok won't it? I feel very far from home (again). Please no mentions of this on FB...

maybe I get strange skin things when I'm pregnant, skin tags, and broken veins on my chest and face and I had a weird, red, angry lump appear on my back last time, was really sore, it just grew and grew until I gave birth. Really horrid but the quacks weren't worried. Check out just to make sure though.

By the way, the lump has completely gone now

24+4 yay!

Seasalt I'm sure it will all be ok.What do they think is wrong? Having gone for the eye test is a great thing as better to have something picked up sooner rather than later.

DP has text this morning saying he doesn't want to fight. I don't either I'm just so down at the moment.He won't be back until sometime Saturday then will be off again early hours of Monday.

Seasalt1 can understand how scary that could be but I am sure you are in the best hands and better they spot it now. Thinking of you, hope all goes ok.

Beaut it is a very stressful time being pregnant and things seem more difficult to handle. I feel very vulnerable when pregnant as I am reliant only DH so much more which I have never been too much before. Plus I am an old bird so I really do feel old. It causes so many problems, as I sometimes just cannot cope with my hectic DD and being massive, and by the way I am so much bigger than last pregnancy and that doesn't help.

Hope everything sorts itself out.

Hi all, haven't posted for a bit, been struggling with various things, then I come on here to catch up,and find you're all saying the same things!

Firstly, seasalt hope,you're ok, sounds like they're taking very good care of you, have they given you any idea what they're looking for? I would strongly advise against googling anything at all, there's lots of inaccurate stuff out there.

10 how are you doing today?

rhienne glad to hear you are taking it easy, rest up!

maybe I've got shed loads of skin tags that have grown during pg, some around my eyes great! But if moles are involved then maybe checking with GP/midwife would put your mind at rest.

I'm struggling with PGP, in fact just with walking. My muscles just aren't moving, my coccyx is hurting, I feel so ungainly, waddling around at a snail's pace. The snow and ice was terrifying, the worst bit was from my front door,to the main road. I worked from home on the monday, which is very rare for my work to allow, and then sat and cried before I left the house on Tuesday. I felt like the most pathetic woman alive, but now seeing everyone else post I feel a bit more normal!

I have shouted at DD which is very unlike me, for not tidying up and making a huge mess. Bump is so huge I just can't bend down, the baby digs in and it hurts, my lungs get squashed, I feel dizzy, and I'm so stiff around the pelvis, everything is a hassle. Ok moan over!

I've got annual leave to use up end of march, at 32 weeks, then I'll go into school for,the Easter hols ,then go off around mid April (Edd 7th may). I was off for 5 wks before dd arrived and every moment of rest and relaxation was totally worth it. It was one of the nicest times of my life just to wind down and get my head round having a baby. My yoga teacher said it was a very important time, called it the dark moon, or something similar can't remember now. Like a babymoon.

Hi to everyone else and lovely to see the scan photos, it's making realise there's really a baby in there!!!

Thanks for the replies. The cardiologist suspects that a small blood clot travelled from my heart to my eye. He said he would normally put me straight on blood thinners but doesn't want to because of the pregnancy (I agree - I don't want to take any risks with the baby). From what I could gather the main concerns are (a) where a clot might travel to if I developed another one (assuming that's what it was in the first place), and (b) that there might be an underlying heart issue that caused the clot. I just hope they can fully identify the problem - I don't like the uncertainty.

Hope everyone with PGP is managing - thinking of you all.

Beautician, I'm sending lots of happy vibes to you from Singapore.

Maybe - hope you get some reassurance re: your skin tag / mole, it's probably nothing but as others said, good idea to get it checked out if you're concerned.