October 2014 - am I the first one here...?

[makesamesswhenstressed]

Just got 2 very very (very very very) faint lines. The magical due date doo-dah says 3rd Oct is the magic number. Who knows? It could all go tits up still, but if you, like me, suspect you might be in the early stages it would be nice to chat.

I'll start the list shall I?

MakesAMessWhenStressed DC2, EDD 3rd Oct

Hi all, checking back in. I'm trying to not freak out considering my recent history so have been in and out of the thread. I am currently feeling pretty positive but obviously have moments of worry.

How is everyone else? I'm tired and have periods of feeling queasy but nothing major. I'm 4+4 today xx

Sorry to clarify, last year I had one mc and one termination for medical reasons. Feeling very hopeful that this is my turn xx

I wake up in the night and feel the odd twinge but that could just be wind (!).

I think I might have slightly funny taste in my mouth but then again I might be imagining it. My boobs were sore but they're not really anymore. Lots of internet posts spark fear in me at this but there are plenty of others saying everyone is different and not to worry so I'm going with that.

Sounds like it's your turn ldt87 :) Positive thinking.

My DH keeps reminding me everyone is different, I'm 5+2 and not really suffering from anything which is good but you almost want to be having everything as reassurance it's real!

To set my mind at ease I'm doing another test tomorrow so I can relax a bit and be sure it's all still on track!

I'm more worried that I've got to go to Italy in 2 weeks with work. I haven't told them yet as I'm so early and I've only been there 3 months so need to keep things low key for now. Everyone keeps going on about how much we'll drink etc etc and I'm squirming wondering how I'll get round it! Any tips welcome from people who've been in similar situations before

You're on antibiotics. Always a good excuse. Start making up fake symptoms for something that would require them a few days before you go.

Or fake illness so you can go off to your hotel room and be left alone.

I have a work exhibition to go to in a fortnight which requires me on my feet for 4 days straight. Do you think this is safe (I'll be 7 weeks by then)?

I think 'antibiotics' are almost code for 'I'm pregnant' these days, sofe! Feigning illness is a good idea... You could also say you were dieting, perhaps?

Hi all. Can I join??
ToffeeJungle...are you me? I too got a BFP yesterday with an EDD of 11th October. Cannot tell you how thrilled I am with this news. Cautious, but thrilled x

Loving all the positivity!
I'm also planning lies..I have a friend coming to stay this weekend and more fiends next weekend, they know each other so it needs to be a consistent story. DH and I have gone over lots of different options and have decided that I'll say that after a very heavy Christmas and January I'm having a bit of a health kick and trying to cut down on my drinking. I'll have a few mixers saying that it's alcoholic and I've got some really nice non alcoholic beers which DH will openly offer me (as they need to be in fridge and they might be seen) but will give me the choice between 'real' beer and 'fake' beer sometimes I'll chose real (though it'll be fake in a glass obviously) and sometimes fake. If they push me on reason for health kick I'll say we're thinking of trying for another baby soon.
Can you tell I've really agonised about this?! (Antibiotics just wouldn't cut it with me. I've NEVER not drunk because I'm on antibiotics!)

Congratulations Mammy and Toffee! Exciting news!

Hahaha this is so funny I've just been through all this, went away with work last week and we all went out last night. I announced in the office week before I was off the booze to everyone's disgust until I explained about my bowel condition (which is real) and it flaring up at moment which means I can't drink. Most people didn't notice when we were out and those that did I just said I'm not drinking at moment, luckily there were a few others who also weren't drinking so that helped. It's not easy all this especially if like me you hate lying and are crap at it lol. Just remember that it really isn't anyone else's business but your own.

It's the no caffine lie I'm finding hard. As a 6 mugs a day girl it's very difficult to hide. Taken to doing all the brew rounds and sneaking a decaf tea bag in my mug.

Loving all you prep work TroubleandFyfe! I'm with you on the antibiotics... Everyone who knows me knows that would never stop me before!

My DH suggested inflamed kidneys after a heavy Christmas which seems quite plausible.. I might have a 'flare up' during the week before and hopefully that will see through!

It doesn't help that I'm a terrible liar and go bright red if I have to make something up... Roll on the scan!

Totally agree that antibiotics is super obvious! You could always just nurse a drink eg i found that having a glass of white in front of me made people think I was drinking when I wasn't. Most people don't notice/care (especially as they get drunk!) unless you make a thing out of it by saying you're on antibiotics.

Trouble you have a great plan!

Personally a g&t was perfect as v easy to just have a tonic but it looks the same.

My advice would be don't steer the conversation around to baby things (I have a friend who it's really easy to tell when she was pregnant as would somehow always get a drunken crowd onto baby names...she has 3 kids and you could tell each time!).

Mum2Kiss hope all ok and you're not bleeding.

Feels like I already have DC1, in fact it's DH (the D stands for destroyed tonight) I'm sleeping in the spare room as he fell through the door drunk and went straight to bed, on MY side, harrumph
Hey ho. My excuse last weekend was a flare up of kidney infection I had last year. Not sure if it worked but when I moaned about people always asking if we're pregnant yet it shut them up!!
Good luck x

Time for another update (can you tell I've got too much time on my hands?)

LittleBear88 DC1 EDD 1st Oct
Tory79 DC2 EDD 1st Oct
OfficeLady DC3 EDD 1st Oct
Thefourcees DC5 EDD 1st Oct
Petitverdot DC1 1st Oct
zahazie EDD 1st Oct
Sazzlehopes DC2 EDD 2nd Oct
mrsb87 DC1 EDD 2nd Oct
Aisha18 DC1 EDD 2nd Oct
missygreeneyes DC1 EDD 2nd Oct
MundayCakes85 DC1 EDD 3rd Oct
Tweetinat DC2 EDD 3rd Oct
Olilos DC1 EDD 3rd Oct
MrsHende DC2 EDD 4th Oct
Cakebaker35 DC2 EDD 4th Oct
AK89 DC1 4th Oct
McRedHead DC3 EDD 5th October
Bumpbangbump DC2 EDD 5 Oct
sophspot DC1 EDD 5th Oct
DuggiWontSleep DC2 edd 5th October
Vicky123uk DC2 EDD 5th Oct
hefner DC2 EDD 5th Oct
Foxsticks DC2 EDD 6 Oct
TinyTear DC2 ADD 6th October
Queenasanti3 DC2 EDD 6th Oct
TroubleAndFyfe DC2 EDD 7th October
Spanielface DC2 EDD 7th Oct
Pickofthedocs DC2 EDD 7th Oct
MrsCaptainReynolds DC2 EDD 7th Oct
Flipfantasia DC3 EDD 8 Oct
Bumpforme2014 DC1 EDD 8th Oct
MrsF2510 DC1 EDD 8th Oct
Sofe1978 DC1 EDD 8th Oct
Bexleymum dc2 edd 8th oct
Freyathecatt DC2 EDD 9 Oct
binkybunny DC1 EDD 9th Oct
Twinkletwink DC2 due 10th Oct
pebble82 DC1 EDD 10th Oct
Lighthouser DC1 EDD 10th Oct
claptomania DC1 EDD 10th Oct
MrsDinoRawr DC1 EDD 10th Oct
mum2kiss dc2 edd 11th October
Overthinker88 DC1 EDD 11th Oct
Toffeejungle DC2 EDD 11th Oct
Mammy2be EDD 11th Oct
Sweetpeapods DC2 due 13 Oct
ldt87 DC3 EDD 13th Oct
AnnoyedByAlfieBear DC2 EDD 13th Oct
Giraffeski DC3 EDD 14th Oct
Thegirlwhouk EDD 14th Oct
pollywhatshername DC2 EDD 15th Oct
neomamma DC1 EDD 17th Oct
katster37 DC3 EDD 22nd Oct

I think I got everyone - apologies if I missed anyone new. Feel free to copy and paste and add yourselves if I did!
I had a tiny amount of spotting last night, it was after I had been exercising on my crosstrainer. Just a smear of brown. As you can imagine I have been on constant gusset-watch ever since, but nothing else has happened so I'm hoping it is just my little lentil bedding down and getting comfortable. (I'm calling it lentil because according to my pregnancy app, it's the size of a lentil this week!)

MrsDinoRawr I also work in a school (not a teacher though) and we have had about 8 cases of slapped cheek during January. Now chicken pox is doing the rounds. Every time a child gets sent to me with a suspicious rash (I'm one of the designated first aiders) I want to send them out of the room! I'm 99.9% certain I'm immune to chickenpox because I didn't catch it when my kids had it, nor when my husband had shingles, but not sure about slapped cheek. According to good old Doctor Google, most adults are immune. I was in contact before I knew I was pregnant anyway, so I'm not dwelling on it, but I will mention it to the doctor when I finally admit I am pregnant make an appointment next week.

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Hello ladies please can I join too!

I got my BFP yesterday and am due on the 16th Oct
Really trying hard to manage my expectations as I know it's only very early (4wks 2days!) so still in the 'danger zone' as it were...so so want to tell everyone though!

For peace of mind DH and I decided we're going to book an early scan at around 6-8wks and then we'll tell our immediate families

Congratulations to everyone else-looking forward to getting to know you all!

Loopylu84 - I'm exactly the same as you 4wks 2 days :-) And DH and I are having an early scan too. We're going for one just after 7 weeks and will tell family after that.

Keeping everything crossed! I'm off to the GP this morning. Eeek!

office my spotting serms to have gone the same way as yours...no more sign of it since that first pink wipe...fingers crossed it was my little bean getting comfortable!

Hope all goes well at the GP thegirlwhouk! Wherabouts in the UK are you?
This will be first baby for us and I can't work out if I should just go to the GP or self refer to a midwife
To be honest I don't really know where I want to book!
Think it's going to be a toss up between UCLH or the Whittington-any North Londoners out there please say hello!

Mum2 how are you this morning?
Officelady I'm so happy we have thread admin, it's key to a good thread, thank you!
Pebble I'm really sensitive to caffeine - it gives me the shakes if I have more than 2-3 cups a day so have always mixed it up with decaf. Makes it nice and easy for me.
Sofe that does sound quite plausible. Good luck!
Flip G and T would be a good one as I like tonic water too but I don't have any gin in the house and don't think I could bear to buy one (in case my friend says she'll have the same!) going to have a rifle through and see what we have that will work!
Bumpforme that sounds ideal - no one wants to talk about it!
Munday, how annoying! On the bright side it sounds like someone has some making up to do...takeaway/flowers/chocolates/DVD? I think it's your choice!

Major X posts!
Fantastic Mum2Kiss!
Welcome and congratulations Loopy and thegirl
I used to live in North London Loopy and would personally avoid the Whittington. They generally have a great reputation but they majorly messed up my sister's birth..she still has physical and emotional effects 26 months later and is currently filing a lawsuit. A friend had her baby in UCLH and had a great experience. These are only two experiences though!

Looplu I had both of mine at the whit! I really liked it (was also treated for my mc there).

Like all big London teaching hospitals, it can be hit or miss but overall I was happy with it. There was only one midwife I was truly unhappy with. The postnatal ward can be grim (but most of then are in London from what I can gather!). But good Breastfeeding support.

Lovely birth centre just one floor from labour ward if you need to be transferred for a epidural or anything. Home-from-home style and partners can stay over. But some of the labour ward delivery rooms also have birth pools and active labour/delivery is encouraged.

Amazing home birth team if you go that route (I wanted a home birth first time - meant I got all my midwife apps after a certain point at home, which was fab! Although ended up induced/having a crash section so not quite what I'd planned! I still highly recommend the hb team though).

If you choose the Whit, I would highly recommend self referring and saying you want to be under the care of Amali Lokugamage - she is an amazing consultant, who had her first at home in her early 40s and has become a vocal proponent of natural birth and emotional well being in birth (she was present during ds's c-section birth - the whole thing was nightmarishly stressful and she was the one hcp who made time to be properly kind to me and dh - second time around I self referred straight to her!).

Chances are you won't see her but you're assigned to the care of someone and better her (or a registrar who works with her) than someone else if you do need to see an obstetrician about anything!

Sorry for the ramble. I've had friends happy with uch too. So factor in things like the ease of getting there (eg uch would have been good for me leaving work for antenatal apps but nightmarish to get to from home).

And if you fancy a doula I loved mine Mars lord (mammy doula) - she made my vbac with dd much easier. Wish I'd had her first time around. Also recommend the hackney doula (a friend from my march 2010 antenatal thread!).

Also Nct classes are a great way to make a bunch of friends for maternity leave - I'm still in touch with all of mine from my first pregnancy. They book up quite fast as far as I remember...

No longer a North Londoner btw. I lived in Stroud Green, so lots of lovely time in crouch end and finsbury park with my babies. I live in the US now, so it's going to be different with no3!

I have a GP appointment on Monday. How do you book an early scan? I'm completely unaware of any of the right things to do!

Trouble so sorry to hear about your sister .

That's the thing with these big London hospitals - you will find the full spectrum of positive and negative experiences.

Being in the US now, obstetrics is an area of medicine where you are guaranteed a lawsuit (or several) during your career. It has the highest rate of lawsuits for any area of medicine. Which causes high insurance costs for them. Which leads to the risk-averse, highly interventionist culture (eg some of my local hospitals don't allow any vbacs to avoid the risks of vbac entirely. Vbacs are actively encouraged in the NHS).

Ah good, Flip has a much better experience! I agree, think about which is easy to get to and what facilities you want. Might have been different if my sis wasn't 'high risk' (twins) and therefore not allowed in the birthing centre. I had great pregnancy acupuncture at the Whittington and all my scans there which were all good. I moved to the south coast just before I gave birth.