Due in September 2006..... into the third trimester.....on the home run

[compo]

Hope no-one minds [smile

[puppy]

awww bless your daughter sounds so cute coriander, my ds is a daddies boy and has to be carried on dh shoulders to bed each night.

As for your last question yep once a fortnight ago, but not since as I was cramping a little for the remainder of the day and esp no more now this pelvic pain is worse. If anything my desire to has increased

[homemama]

Compo, pregnacare could well be making you more sick. I think if you're eating healthily you don't need to take it anymore although it won't do you any harm. I was very sick last night although that doesn't happen very often to me now.

Mabel, my mw's are froma different hospital too. We have four hospitals within a reasonable distance and it just happens that the mw's linked to my surgery are from another. It's silly really as there is another surgery in the village with mw's from one of the other hospitals so I think it just depends which hospital's services each surgery buys into.

Marls, is it standard practice in the States to be delivered by a doctor? And seen by a doctor regularly during pregnancy? Just being nosey really. Here, we can choose between mw led care and mixed care between the mw and the consultant. I think most women are happy just to see a mw. Are all your midwives registered nurses? In Britain, I think the older mws are but many of the younger ones have done it as a stand alone degree. Sorry for all the questions, just curious about the differences.

Well..... big dilemma for me isn't pregnancy related but DH came home last night and asked how I'd feel about living in Australia for 18mths/2yrs!!! His company have told him that in the new year they are going to need some staff to move to the Melbourne office to help set up. They already have Australian offices apparently but for some reason they thought they'd get more Brits willing to relocate than Austalians. Can't think why? Anyway, not sure what to do. If there was just the two of us then we'd jump at it but not sure with a toddler and a baby. DH says it's a once in a lifetime opportunity which we couldn't consider when kids at school. I'm used to moving every couple of years with his job but this seems huge in comparison. Advice and opinions please.

Gosh, sorry for long post. My life is usually quite dull but what with the scan results and now this I think I'm a little high today!

[homemama]

Cori, not in this heat and only 2 or 3 times since January! I've told DH that's why God made his arms so long!

Your DD sounds very cute. Aren't all little girls Daddy's girls.

[Coriander73]

Homemama, GO FOR IT!!!!!! He's right, much easier now before they're at school & you have to worry about major distruption to exams & friendships etc! My in-laws love OZ & say if they could go back 30 years they would have emigrated as it's such a great place to bring up children etc. Life is too short...& if it's only for a couple of years max, what have you got to lose?

I'm told yes, all girls are Daddy's girls but mine left home when I was 18 months old & the realtionship wasn't resumed until I was 11 & it's been odd ever since. I see my DD with my DH & it's just lovely, if a little frustrating at times (like why don't you want me tonight?!!!), but reallly wonderful -

Re sex....I don't feel so odd after all!!! I did ask DH if he was, errr, entertaining himself (much out of my own guilt really) & he said not much really as he's lost the urge too....Jesus, aren't they supposed to think about sex every 20 seconds?!!!

[clairemow]

Cori, re. the sex thing - not for about 6 months after finding out I was pg! Just couldn't muster up the energy. Since then, a bit more energy for it, but I wouldn't say it was frequent!!!

Compo, I'm still taking pregnacare. It doesn't seem to make me sick at all, although I try and take it with food, maybe that helps.

Homemama, you're right about dilemma. I know my parents would be devastated if I moved DS and DS-to-be to the other side of the world for 2 years, but you can't live for them. My brother lived in Melbourne for a couple of years, and loved it - said it was v. European in climate and attitude. Can't say if that's true, as I haven't been. Both Oz and NZ seem to me to be great places for kids though.

[TopBanana]

Hi everyone, haven't logged on for ages and theres so much to catch up on!!
Homemama I'm glad your scan went well, thats actually what I logged on to check!
Compo, I haven't taken any vitimins since stopping the folic acid.
Cori, didn't have sex for quite a while but recently I've been really pushing for it must be the hormones!
I'm very of people who can have afternoon naps, I'm so tired all the time and I'm stuck at work.
Everything seems real all of a sudden with all this talk of packing hospital bags and stuff. I've done NOTHING! I haven't sorted out any of dds old stuff, I haven't bought anything for the baby or for after the birth. Best start doing something!
I'm 28 weeks today, got to go and have my bloods done tomorrow and another midwife app next Wednesday. I think I'm still seeing mine every 4 weeks still.
Still desperatly trying to learn to drive. Will hopefully be taking my test at the end of the August.
Suddenly I'm getting quite scared about giving birth. I kind of remember saying to dp in a pethedine haze I'M NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN! Oh well, lets just hope number 2 just comes sliding out......

[Aussiemama]

Homemama - as an Australian I have to say relocating to Australia would be a great opportunity (but I may be a little biased!). The weather, food, childcare, schools etc are great and most of the major cities are very family orientated. If it's only for a limited time you can have the experience without worrying that you've made a big mistake transporting your family across the globe. My parents emigrated from England to Australia and I was still in close contact with family members in England - and anyway, everyone will want to come and visit you!

Re: the sex issue....I'm still trying to keep it going but I have to say it's more for him than anything else! I've become very keen on offering ...other services...as it were....

[Marls001]

Homemama, definitely consider the move, especially since it's only 2 years. Consider it an adventure. You will learn so much. We moved from the center of the 4th largest city in the US - Houston - to this tiny town in Arkansas and have discovered so much more about what we as a couple like and don't like, need and don't need, in our lives. Our knowledge base about living conditions in different parts of the US will serve us well in deciding what will be best for us as a family in the long run, and where we want to live long-term. Have enjoyed making new friends and experiencing different weather and food. I'd say do consider going for it. You only get one life, might as well cram as much into it as you can.

Definitely standard here to be delivered by a doctor, and seen by one during pg. Many practicing OB/GYNs are women, though.

The midwife phenomena is new to the general population, & in many locations not well-integrated into the healthcare system. And it's extremely important that one's particular insurance company cover one's healthcare provider (and even so, for birth of DS1 we spent $1000+ pounds) - in many areas mw's just aren't covered.

Also, many patients don't trust yet that US mw's are as well-trained as US Dr.s, or that they will receive the same level of care under a mw.
As well, patients may think they'll have less choices, be forced into doing things more "naturally" with a mw - no epidural, for example, which for most US women is unthinkable.
Re: mw's as RNs: it's the same as in Britain, I think: some are, and some have gotten the stand-alone degree.

I was ideally looking for a young, female doctor here in Arkansas with whose personality mine clicked. I had that in Houston ... but here the only Dr. I found who would see me through to delivery without "rotating call" is a man. A sensitive, professional, softspoken male Dr. ... but still. At least it's my 2nd, and I feel like I know more what I'm doing.

Feel free to ask whatever you'd like; I never mind answering re: differences.

[muminaquandary]

Hi all just a quick post:
Pregnacare definitely made me sick unless ate with biggest meal of the day - have switched to Tesco's ante-natal vitamins which don't seem as bad, I have them at bkfast ...
as for other things, tiredness actually getting better (30 wks now)
last pg was anaemic & ate loads of meat, chickpeas etc, really seemed to help (along with disgusting tablets)
SPD - get it sorted with Tubigrip & swimming (NO breaststroke) these are the best things for me
hmmm ... sex... had a LOT more in last pg (maybe cos was a boy??!!) ... otherwise quite happy with once a fortnight otherwise it sets off my SPD. You can try different positions ...
Seeing (same) mw in 2 wks then every 2 wks until c/section (have no idea who is going to do that, which is abit of a bummer, might see if I can ask again nearer the time).

[clairemow]

muminaquandry - don't think sex of baby has much to do with libido - mine are both boys, I think last time I just wasn't so knackered as I had no toddler, and we went on two big holidays while I was pregnant (South Africa and New Zealand), so I think it was just being generally less tired. No holidays this time round!!!

[muminaquandary]

that comment re boy was ironic but definitely agree that the presence of no 1 & all the energy of mine he uses up during the day means less libido ... altho actually, even tho I say it myself, I'm looking not too bad for a big lady of 30 wks & DH is definitely interested ... just not me particularly !!

[Lysettes]

pregnacare made me feel a bit icky, so i switched to sanatagen, and i take them in the evenings with supper.

we are having sex maybe once a week - i had been offering other services as didn't really have too much interest, but that's changing now!

had ante natal class this afernoon about common interventions, and was basically poo pooed for not necessarily wanting an epidural right at the start (am sure this will change once i'm in pain ). Also found out that our hospital doesn't offer pethedine, so it's gas and air or epidural!

homemama - go for it! it will be such an amazing opportunity for you all!

[Coriander73]

Lysettes....you have my full & utter admiration!!! What DH would give for any tinkering around so to speak!!!!

[mabel1973]

Homemama - I have to say in your position I would go for it, although I know our parents would be upset to not see the children growing up for a couple of years - but in the grand scheme of things it isn't really for that long.
Cori - managed it about 3 or 4 times since finding out. Just have no inclination.
Lysettes - how do you manage it???!!
We are a bit futher on with the babies room - a joiner came round today and it now has a door on it - yipee!
Midwife eventually turned up and confirmed that babe hs moved, he was transverse last time I saw her 2 weeks ago, he's now head down - yikes!
I asked about birth plan (for what it's worth - do they actually read them anyway?) and she said that she wouldn't talk to me about it til I was 36 weeks! Seems to be leaving it a bit late. Although I know what I want to do anyway.

[pol26]

Well, I have found that sex has been mor eon the cards, except when we were trying for this bubba... Maybe it's because it's a boy and all these foreign hormones are flying round my body. There is no complaining for DP, he loves preg boobies. Would prefer the sex than the 'tinkering' if that is of the thomas cook variety- that would make me sick!

Been sorting out more clothes today- my sister had saved all her boys clothes and been picking out bits i'll use and not use. I already have too much and now have 5 coats for him! Getting very excited about it all.

Luckily we have a man coming to look at our washing machine tomorrow, or rather leasee's washer. I just really need it to work tomorrow- I have sooooo much washing mounting up and it's an effort anyhow, without a back log!

I took the pregnacare, or whatever they are called and they made me feel sick even with food. I took them til about 17 weeks then stopped mainly because I had ran out and didn't need folic acid any more. Trying to avoid iron tablets too, as don't want piles!

[calvemjoe]

I'm due to have a baby in 10 weeks and 6 days and have decided that we need to be out of our rented house and into a home of our own before she arrives We put an offer in last week that has been accepted and a bank has agreed to lend us the money so it looks like I'm moving house! I need a nest and I don't think I'll be able to relax until we have one.

Compo, I'm still taking pregnacare but only to try and avoid the aneamia I had last time.

Puppy, I'm not sick but I feel really sick most mornings, esp. if I've not slept.

Cori, he got a 'birthday pressie' but nothing since then, I just don't have the energy.

Homemama, I'd go for it. Australia is supposed to be amazing and someone is offering to pay you to relocate without it being permanent. Once in a lifetime opportunity.

Take care of your bumps x

[liquidclocks]

Hello all - good on you all for the new thread - old one was getting a bit long.

Well, I had a chat with the midwife and she said to go to my conference if I thought the contractions had stopped. I managed one night and I'm home again after waking upat 1.30am with pain again and virtually no sleep - what the hell is going on!!!??? Managed to present my piece this morning anyway so did what I went there for - Cardiff was miserable and rainy anyway, not worth hanging around! Nice to be home too

Homemama - I'd go given the opportunity - it will be so mch easier now than when the kiddies are at school - and you can still join toddler groups to make new friends etc (one thing they're good for!). I'd like to try NZ at some stage but need to find some nice company to pay for it!

[Marls001]

Muminaquandry - agree with Clairmow - mine are both boys too, & last time I was so much more interested - also think it was b/c just not as tired from being with DS1! DH "gets some" once every two weeks these days, which is not very often for us ...
Agree; Lysettes, wow ... your lucky DH!

Homemama, just a bit more info: official stat is 9 percent of vaginal deliveries in US are with a nurse midwife. Nurse midwives are used for low-risk pgs that aren't a woman's first pg. Sometimes for emotional support during labor, in addition to a Dr., a woman might hire a doula (we had one for DS1, but ended up not having to use her). Most Dr.s will stretch perineums during labor, as a doula would do. Now, that's why I wanted a woman doctor again ...

DH was reminiscing with me about DS1's birth; got to the part where the head was coming out - that's not something I like to think about ... I mean, it is a beautiful thing when a baby is born ... but not really when you're the one doing the birthing ... not afraid this time around, just sends a shudder through me to think about how wide things had to get. Yuk.

[Lysettes]

WOW! I didn't really think of it that way! it's a bit funny - for a while it was DH's saturday afternoon treat as it was the only time i wasn't shattered!

mabel - I'm just starting to write my plan now, after class yesterday when we were advised by the consultant in charge of deliveries to get them done sooner rather than later

pol - DH is a kiwi so we will be back there in a few years - i guess this is appropriate for homemama too - my parents have pretty much always known since I met DH that we would end up in NZ and take the fact that although it's the other side of the world, it's not so far these days - you can be there in a day now if you need to be is there way of looking at it.

washed most of the little clothes in preparation for the hospital bags! and got cheap big knickers from primark as well as pjs - not sure the bottoms are going to be suitable so may have to get a coujple of nighties too...

fingers crossed for my b pressure this afternoon - ANC and having to see a senior reg as my consultant away - they always panic and admit me if it's the slightest bit raised

lol everyone

[Bella23]

Morning ladies

Gosh all this talk of sex.....bit of a distamt memory for me and DH at the moment. We both are being so over cautious because of previous m/c that we both decided we couldn't handle any aches or pains - ie worry that it might cause.
We jokingly call each other "travelling companions". To be honest I just haven't felt sexy at all!!

Homemama - I would seriously consider going. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and 18 months - 2 years will go by in a flash. I bet most of your family will spend most of that time coming out for holiday / visits. If it were me (and I didn't have my cats) I would definately go.

Liquidlocks - glad you managed to get your presentation out of the way but are safe at home now. Sorry to hear that you have been kept awake with pains though - wonder what is going on??

Well am off to Paris tomorrow for a long weekend for our wedding anniversary - just checked the weather forecast though and its going to 32C - YIKES!! Might have to spend the weekend in the hotel room!!

[mabel1973]

Hi all

Bella - have a great time in Paris!

I am having a bad day today - but am hoping that things come in three's... so far:
Nappy wrap I bid for on ebay turned up - is completely the wrong item, so now have to return it and try and get money back or correct item.
Borrowed hedge trimmer from my neighbour and have just severed the cord (oops)
DH left me the car today so I could go and buy material for curtains for babes room - he went to work with the car keys in his pocket.
However - he has managed to get a lift home to drop the keys off and says he can fix the hedge trimmer.
I am scared to leave the house now though!!!

[homemama]

Hi
Calvemjoe, congratulations on getting a mortgage for your house. You must be so excited. We rented for the first year after university and when we bought our first house, the mortgage was actually slightly cheaper than our rent had been.

Liquid, glad you managed to get back ok. I remember talking to a woman once who said she had constant aches and pains in her second pg. It turned out just to be severe stretching but as she hadn't had it first time she was quite worried. I do think the ante-natal department are always happy to check you out even if it turns out to be nothing. Please keep getting checked if you are worried as anxiety could well make you tense and therefore cause more pain.

Bella, have a super time in Paris! Spending all the weekend in the hotel for your wedding anniversary should have its advantages!


Lol, Mabel, sounds like you should go back to bed!

Marls, thanks for the info. That's interesting about the doula doing the stretching. Doulas haven't yet become popular over here although I think they are becoming more so. However, I'm pretty sure that here they are hired more for emotional support and that they don't do anything physical apart from a little back rubbing. I certainly know that they are not popular with midwives who think they get in the way. Also, I think they are more used here if a woman has opted for a home birth. Is this rare in the States? The reason I opted for mw led care rather than be under the consultant is because I'm hoping not to medicalise it too much. I know this isn't an option for everyone but if I can that's what I'd like. The thing that puts me off epidurals is the having tolie on your back to give birth. Last time I stood up and I don't think this is possible with the epidural. Totally believe they shood be on hand when requested though.

Just want to add thanks to everyone for their advice. It does sound like a wonderful opportunity but I have to remember the practicalities. ie it's not a long holiday. DH will be working long hours every day and I'll be at home, in a strange country with two small children. Still, it does sound exciting. We don't need to decide just yet so have a while to weigh up the practical side (renting house etc)

[homemama]

Sorry for long post and spelling. Should not shood!

[mabel1973]

managed to make it to the fabric place and the greengrocers without blowing myself up, running anyone over or forgeting my purse.
PHEW!

[homemama]

Mabel, if you don't post for a few days we'll assume you're in traction!