February 2014. Bodystockings at the ready. We make pregnancy sexy.

[DawnOfTheDee]

Ok we don't. We're sick a lot, cry at adverts, moan about back/hip pain and if we got a quid for each new stretchmark generated we could all give up work and employ a nanny.

In fact if you know any teenagers feel free to show them our threads...we are the most effective contraceptive since sliced bread don't ask.

Ladies...as you were....

So sorry Vix I hope you have lots of support around for you too.

So sorry to hear your news Vix

I’ve been absent a bit lately – my phone gave up the ghost on Saturday and we don’t have internet at home yet so I’ve been feeling a bit out of touch. You don’t realise how much time is spent on your phone until it’s gone! Probably a good thing as I’ve managed to get back into reading again.

We interviewed for my maternity cover yesterday, it was quite weird. We’ve found somebody though, so that’s a good thing. It makes me happy that my pregnancy has given someone an opportunity to get a foot in the door.

Not much else to report, loving all the bump and nursery photos. I’ll be able to join in again when I get my phone fixed!

So sorry to hear that vix, lots of hugs and support to you and your family right now, we're here if you need to talk or vent

Julietee totally agree. Dignity left at the door.

Feeling a bit Eeeurgh today anf hope it's not a cold/flu coming on. Have my jab on monday after chasing my gp a lot so would be ironic if it was. And going this weekend to grandparents to break the news to them that I am not going to be going down the traditional family route with this LO. Eek. Send me some luck for that!

Very sick today so sorry not to reply to everyone but just wanted to send enormous hugs to vix. One of my close friends at school lost her sister in the same way and it is unspeakably hard. I hope you are all able to find some peace somehow xxx

I am sorry to hear your new Vix, I hope that you are taking care of yourself, or that your dp is taking care of you.

I had another scan today to triple check babys heart - it all looked fine but I have to go back again in 2 weeks as the consultant wasn't there to sign it off. GRrr. They called me minutes before my appointment to cancel but obviously as I was parking and getting lost in the hospital corridors I didn't get the call in time! Baby was yet again very uncooperative - think I'm going to have my hands full with this one

Poo - I was telling the mw during labour with ds that I had done a poo and she was trying to fob me off, but I pointed it out to her! It was possibly the tiniest poo in the world but I had to prove I had done a bloody poo dammit! I cannot think of another circumstance in the world that I would be so eager to show someone my poo!

vix I've been thinking of you all day, I do hope you get all the support you need. hugs.

My community midwives came good and slotted me in for an appointment on Wednesday. It means having to go to the next town but I'm just grateful I get the appointment and I don't have to mess work around. I really feel that juggling the demands of work and the pregnancy is a real challenge at the moment.

petty I'm pleased to hear the heartbeat scan was ok, Phew!

Terrible news Vix - so sad .

Not sure I really have any news to report - had a bulk order of New Look clothes delivered this week and am keeping most of it - so comfy :) My DH says I have the most number of maternity clothes of anyone he's ever known. But then he wouldn't have a clue about anyone else's maternity wardrobe! My normal clothes just don't fit and I don't like most of my mat clothes from 3 years ago so what else am I meant to do?

My hormones are going a little mad, I get so frustrated with DD sometimes and I hate myself for shouting at her. She's an angel most of the time but I struggle when she just won't do as I say! How am I going to manage with two children not listening to me?!

I met up with a friend today who's due at the end of November and her midwife has told her that her stomach muscles have split. I'd never heard of that before! How do they split? She's very slim and already has a DD and apparently the midwife could just tell by looking at the shape of her bump. She thinks her tummy won't go back to normal now after the baby's born. Why does pregnancy have such horrible symptoms to go with the miracle baby? Touch wood our stomachs stay in tact, even if they are wobbly and stretch marked!

Split!? As in torn apart? That sounds horrible. Yey pregnancy.

Don't think we can have too many mat clothes. Still need to be comfy and look good ish

LittlePanda my friend who did masses of pilates and yoga before during and after pregnancy got it, it's called diastasis recti, and it's very common. But, it's not necessarily permanent, and can be dealt with.

Mumsnet thread here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/516945-i-have-a-spearated-abdomen-also-called-diastasis-recti/AllOnOnePage

I don't fancy it myself, but what will happen, to me and my abs, will happen!

Panda, it's called diastasis somethingorother and it's reasonably common. However, a knowledgeable personal trainer can get it back up and running afterwards!
This lady has lots of details: www.burrelleducation.com/the-burrell-method-for-holistic-diastasis-healing-c-section-recovery/

thanks - didn't know it was common, still sounds scary for squeamish me! My friend seems more laid back about it than me and it's her body so maybe I should calm down

Vix Just caught up with the thread. Am so very sorry to hear your news. Thinking of you and your family xx

Thinking of you vix, can't imagine how you all must be feeling. X

Vix, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. Thinking of you and your family.

Julietee - I agree about TMI however I'm normally like that anyway - DH seems to send me daily text updates about his poos! Apparently one the other day was like a human brain! Oh my god I'm gonna scratch my nipple off if it doesn't stop bloody itching soon too!!!

Shrops -you've gotta show us this mega nursery - I'm so intrigued!

Sooooo glad it's the weekend. I'm in bed and it is wonderful! Hope you've all got lovely things planned x

Thanks everyone for your lovely words. I'm ok, in autopilot mode still. Glad it's the weekend so dh is around. Wishing you all a lovely weekend

Vix - just seen your news from this morning, so very sorry and I hope you're getting lots of support x

Ooooh I think I just felt my first through the belly kick! I'm on the iPad with hand resting across belly and it got booted! yaaaaay hello baby!

misskatamari that's so exciting!

petty missed it earlier but glad the scan went well and that you'll get to see LO again for the sign off

Sending lots of love and strength to you vix x

Winterflowers, what do you mean about not going down the traditional family route?

Exactly what I was thinking jen.

What do you mean winter? Are you going to let the baby be raised by wolves? Are you going to breast feed until sixth form? Are you going to dress it as a girl if it's a boy and a boy if it's a girl?

Poor old vix, hope she's ok. The stress of loosing loulous puppy was terrible, I was a wreck, so I can't even imagine what's going on in her head.

So now we've established that nothing is TMI and that there are no secrets here (apart from lauras work for MI6 that we can't discuss, obvs) can the second timers put my mind at ease about something...?
In the final stages of labour, bearing in mind it is all I will have been thinking about for the previous 9 months, how much does pooing and tearing (my two biggest fears) matter in delivery? I'm sure that the urge to know my baby is safe and well will eventually over ride it. And I know they've all seen it before. But pooing on a bed whilst people stare at your fanny which is tearing open really haunts me. Will I forget this at the time???

shrops I only did a micro poo and didn't tear at all. not even a graze. poo-ing and wee-ing was fine afterwards too (I had to do both before the midwives would go home!)

I am also intrigued by winters non traditional raising of a child. How radical are you going?