September 2013 - fretting our way through the first trimester

[KamikazeeKid]

Created as other thread filling up!

I had a natural birth EmmaDee. Can't lie, it was painful. However, only had gas and air and there would always be the option of pethadin or an epidural. My labour was back to back so the contractions were painful. FWIW I don't think you should waste your time worrying about it as I could tell you labour was horrendous or a breeze and yours could be completely different.

Water helps a lot though and I've heard good things about TENS machines.

Eek cheers that does a wee bit to alleviate my craziness! My sil had 3 natural births(no drugs, no hospital etc) and my bf had two c sections so I have no one around me who has went vb with drugs!!

Plenty of time to worry though, haven't even had my scan yet!!!

I am 11 weeks and I swear over the last couple of days I have felt something - it's my 3rd.
Birth wise I've had 2 inductions. First one ended after 30 hours or so in a forceps birth (cord was wrapped round his neck)-it was horrific. Even with an epidural. I was pretty traumatised for a while afterwards, couldn't stop thinking what it would have been like without an epidural.
Second time was another induction but much more straight forward and half as long. Had an epidural because no way on this earth was I not, but looking back after I probably could have gone without.

Does anybody else have a strange bloated feeling/appearance really high up - above the navel and just under the rib cage?

I guess it's where my stomach is, or maybe my liver, but I guess when others say they have a sticky-out stomach they actually mean lower down?

Or maybe it's my diaphragm? I don't know, it's definately too high for my uterus and it definitely feels weird... anybody else?

badguider I had that when I was constipated, but not any more. It's your stomach!

badguider me!! It's surely got to be adipose in my case. Most odd!

I think I felt movement at the weekend when leaning forward. Was definitely feeling it by 13 weeks in first pregnancy but lots of people (with string tummy muscles!) don't feel anything til 20 weeks, I hear.

hmmm... well i'm not constipated so if it's my stomach i guess it's gas as i do feel nauseous and burp a lot

Emmadee, I read a couple of books (repeatedly!) while pregnant which had lots of examples of very different but positive births and it helped to get me psyched up and excited about giving birth rather than scared and I like to think that this contributed at least in some small part to two pretty straightforward births with minimal pain relief. However, you just never know what's going to happen on the day, how your body will deal with labour and pain. But it might stop you worrying so much in the meantime. One of the books was an Ina May Gaskin one, which might be too hippyish for many tastes. The other was 'Stand and Deliver' by Emma Mahony, which I'd totally recommend.

Oooh i second the Ina May Gaskin. It is a bit dated, but soooo inspiring :)

Cheers all, can't believe im worrying about that bit already!! I'll check out those books, it's just when you read some of the forums and the nhs websites loads of people seem to have had horrific experiences!!

We have a few sheep and watching them give birth frightens the life out of me!! Where your hubby's/partners there?

Yes I do badguider, I thought it's just where I'm putting weight on though, as well as lower down like a beer belly!

I have no poo problems either I'm afraid

Is anyone getting aches around where your ovaries and tubes are? My left side's been a bit achey on and off for a day or so, not exactly a period pain more just an ache. Wonder if it's stretching, though obviously shitting myself it's start of some kind of miscarriage.

For what it's worth, I had a great experience in my last birth. But, I think it's largely down to luck and how busy the hospital is at the time you go into labour. I was lucky in that the MLU waterbirthing suite was free, but could have easily landed up on a busy labour ward which might have been a different story...

Rather worryingly, I read in a free paper the other day (evening standard I think) that apparently there is going to be a giant baby boom this year because everyone wants to be preggers with Kate, can you believe it. Clearblue have seen sales go up etc.... probably be impacting our babies born this year for a long time (school places etc...)

Manoodle- I think Stella is such a nice name too! I also really like Spencer for a boy but hubby reckons it will make everyone think of the boy from Made in Chelsea and so the poor kid will be set for disaster..

Have so many great girl names, but really struggling with the boys! I'm really convinced its a boy but it's probably a girl so why am I getting so stressed

Dorita, I've had quite a bit of pain in that area the past few days. I think I remember it from the last time, so I haven't been too worried about it.

I'd read about the baby boom too, are people that influenced by celebs/royals?!!

I know if it's a boy I want my dads name in it as he passed away a couple of years ago, but scared to broach it with hubby! He's not into calling kids after family!!

DH is still in denial about having a 3rd so think any name conversation may be a long way off!!!!
I had 2 v straightforward, quick (not OBEM jolanta quick!) births but agree its a combo of stamina/fitness (need leg muscles of steel!!), positive attitude, being well informed of all the options and then mostly just sheer luck of the baby/hospital/midwife alignment!! Am hoping i can be lucky again....

Girlwiththeyellowhat I'm also a terry pratchett fan, mentioned your idea about using a charactor name to my DH and he thought it was brilliant, he got all silly suggesting Rincewind, Teppic or Greebo, none of the sensible names! Doh! Don't think we'll find names until the last minute to be honest!

PurplePoppy, really want to go back to the first book and start making a list of names that we might be able to use. What about Sybil?

I for one can't stand the thought of being pregnant at the same time as Kate. But, being Scottish, I don't give a flying fook about the royals!

Dorita, I spent yesterday at work worried that my uterus was going to fall out as I was getting such odd 'dropping' sensations... scan is a week tomorrow so not too long to wait now!

Thanks manoodledo and SGJ, it's actually stopped after lying on the couch all evening so hopefully it's just 'normal!' 10wks tomorrow and 2wks until scan....can't come soon enough!

We're not really doing names, or anything until after scan, but suggesting lots of joke names like....Bandit!

What about Mortimer? I loved the book Mort.

I think clear blue sales have gone up due to us lot peeing on multiple sticks for the first 4 weeks!!

We have our boy name set, but can't agree on a girl name, but we are both absolutely convinced it is a girl so who knows what will happen! We have William, but we are currently debating Audrey, Evelyn, plus about ten more!

I have made the mistake of watching One Day this evening, stupid idea seeing as I've read the book and know what happens. Spent the last twenty mins bawling my eyes out. Luckily I am on my tod...

My mum did suggest Esme, which is possibly better than Moist! People might think I liked Twilight though.

Eskarina?!