The Brookers are ready for a 2014 sneeze-birth fest. Come and join us if you think you're hard enough...

[SantaMaybe]

Here we go brookers. At least three of us will be sneezing on this one

Glad to hear it went wonderfully Purple. Hurrah for a mystery bean! I completely agree re maternity clothes - I have so many problems. I'm usually a size 6/8 - I bought a couple of size 10 tops from two different shops that I only just fit into now (let alone further into pregnancy!), whereas a size 8 one from Next completely swamps me - should have got a 6. It's ridiculous :( I've given up on maternity clothes now, and will just be stretching old/basic clothes if I can get away with it.

Pomme How lovely to hear about your friend :)

Too, how did your scan go? I hope you had a lovely sonographer.

Wanted to pick your brains, lovely brookers. At what point did you have your 20 week scan? The NHS says it can be anytime between 18 weeks and 20+6.

I phoned up what will be my new midwifery service today, and they were absolutely lovely. Talked to the central team (who agreed I should phone early, to try and get a scan date in), and then to my future midwife. However, she told me that scans in the area are carried out at 18wks, and that I wouldn't be there at that point, and that she's checked availability and they couldn't fit me in just after the moving date either - they're so swamped - and she can't technically book me in until I've registered there anyway :( Such a faff. Anyway, my scan in my current area was booked for 20+3, and she recommended I ask them for a scan at 18 ish weeks, as it should be fine. Phoned my hospital, and was spoken to very rudely by the receptionist who told me I could only have the time and date I was allocated! I pointed out the NHS guidelines, and the fact that midwives had advised I call early.... at which point I finally got through to a sonographer. She's let me have one - at 19wks on the dot - but stressed how she thought she wouldn't be able to get all the measurements :S

Is this an area dependent thing? I suppose different areas have different equipment, and some may be better than others... Anyway, at least I have a scan booked in now, even if it is only a few days before we move (I hope!).

Music I think it is up til 22 weeks for scan, my relative had one at 21 weeks recently and I know dc 2 was 21 weeks something days. Sorry they were rude to you, so unnecessary. They will still be able to checkmate placenta, cleft a late heart etc so I wouldn't worry too much about measurements per se. Also sonographer today was at pains to warn us that things still get missed. When is your scan booked anyway?

I found clothes hard today seeing how much weight I have put on! :( I tried some shorts on in hm and they were too tight on my thighs, not something I usually have an issue with even though I have muscly horse riding/running legs.

Yay for a wriggly, healthy bean purple!

Mine will be 21 weeks exactly next tues musical.

When I had a scan at 17 weeks she said it was too early for anything like cleft lip/club foot diagnosis and that's why nhs is later so I was thinking later the better in terms of seeing everything clearly.

I've been buying off ebay and I won two small h and m tops for 99p. One is too small and one is fine! I was worried neither would fit tbh. I think sizes are weird on normal clothes too though. Don't worry purple we'll lose it all again post partum, right?! My appetite is really ramping up now.

Ah, maybe that's it Pomme. I've consoled myself with the fact that anything hugely serious would probably be picked up at 19 weeks, and that if they want to check other things then they'd have to schedule another, later scan - what a shame .

I'm kind of the opposite - I've not put on that much weight but am absolutely huge. Bump looks truly ridiculous of an evening. It's obviously just bloating (with quite a big bump for 17ish weeks underneath) but still. I've also been ridiculously hungry since the beginning (albeit not able to eat due to feeling sick at parts!). Destined to be whale sized this time round I think

I've also been ebay-ing Pomme. Finally found a skirt today, which was the last maternity ish purchase I'm hoping to make - purely because none of my current ones are stretchy, or wearable now!

Scan is a fortnight tomorrow!

pomme h&m smalls are getting bit tight on my boobs now! But still ok... Snap on the eating more, past two days have been really bad. I HATE losing weight tbh I feel a bit bleurgh about all that again and fir a long while it was enough to put me off dc 3, ESP with hair loss too!

music a big bump at 17 weeks is acceptable, need pic evidence to prove otherwise! Two weeks is so soon! Exciting :)

Hmm, doesn't look as big here as it does in real life! (excuse naked stomach and pyjamas - they were just getting in the way!).

Purple, Pomme, surely the weight will all fall off with the birth and breastfeeding and sleepless nights and rocking babies to sleep and all that jazz?! if only

I don't think that is too bad, your so slim your tummy can only go forwards! I however have a fetching pair of love handles! Oh and my abs are starting to separate so I don't hold much hope for my post partum figure!

Hmm hair loss. Not thinking about that. Denial is the way forward.

I have put on less weight so far with this one. Post dd1 it all just disappeared almost straight away. With dd2 it didn't go until Italy - on the go 24/7 and three flights if stairs worked wonders!

Lovely bump musical! Might see if I can put one up dd1 took Sunday..

Wanders!

19 + 5

I think yours is just lower music you don't seem much different to pomme really!
pomme still look nice and slim :) I have started to develop bingo wings, muffin top and fatter legs! And I keep getting swollen feet! Until a couple of weeks ago I had been doing really well. I put a pic on the other place but I feel I have grown since.

Oooh lovely bump pomme - lovely and neat and even! Purple, you look fabulous too - none of those things show on your picture!

I have love handles too - one of the first symptoms of pregnancy, and the reason I went into maternity trousers at about 6wks! Now at the point of being pregnant and proud though - had managed to hide the bump until about a week ago but no hope now (especially now coats aren't needed!).

No hope for my post partum figure either- stomach muscles non existent (probably the reason for the large bump!).

ahh lovely bump pics! i miss my bump

music I cropped bingo wings out! I feel better today, trousers I wore yesterday are baggy and made me look fatter than I am.. Slim fit jeans and t shirt today feel much better, in fact it is same pink top in fb pic, it is my fave and I really regret not getting a spare when I was in HM yesterday!

Stomach muscles make a huge difference to how you hold baby in, I had nosy people guess at 10weeks, so if you have no.3 you might be found out at 4wks I am really feeling benefit of working out before pregnancy! I am coping so much better with this pg than last. I do need to wear light foot wear, if I wear my boots then it hurts my. Pelvis.

Im trying to make sure I dress a bit better this pregnancy purple as I didn't with dd2 and i think it made me eat more and move less as I already felt yucky. I do think making an effort does have an effect.

Im buying maternity clothes off ebay mostly but Ive got some bargains! My friend lent me some posh maternity jeans yesterday which is cool and I think my mum might buy me some bits as a treat (fingers crossed!).

I liked your pink top on fb purple.

Cannot see any love handles either of you by the way!

We need photos of toos and stacks bumps now to inspire us. On my fb feed there were photos of a triplet bump yesterday - incredible!

I shall do a bump pic when I get home from work! Mine is much bigger. I went mad in Primark on Monday buying lots of things that might sort of turn into mat clothes - got a stretchy tube skirt which must be intended to be mid-calf, so when it's worn as an over-bump skirt it's perfectly on the knee. Then I got a lot of bright T-shirts and vests, but the sizing there is mental too. A size 10 non-mat T-shirt dress looks like a tent on me, and another size 10 T shirt fits perfectly, whereas the size 10 vests I bought are stretched tightly over my boobs - never thought of that when picking sizes! I never try anything on in Primark so I tend to wind up with some crap. I also foolishly persuaded myself that a pair of pink dungaree shorts would go under the bump while the bib part held them up. They don't go under the bump at all, unless I don't do them up. It was a bad idea! Never mind, I shall wear them once the baby is born. It will still be summer. I also got a £13 raspberry pink jacket which I love. It probably won't do up for that much longer but it was £13 and it will fit me when I'm not pg and it'll do as a lightweight jacket even if my bump sticks out the front a bit by the end. All the shops were full of glorious pastel colours and none of the maternity ranges seem to be colourful - just basic black/navy/red, so Primark was a good place to get some cheap bits. It also did the longest vests in the world - if I didn't have a bump I think the vest would be nearly knee

I also got 2 pairs of New Look ballet pumps which are super-adorable (a coral pair and a black T-bar pair). Shoes are still fun to buy even if I have to stick to flat ones.

I did the bra intervention method of measuring and ordered a bra from Ebay in size 32H . It hasn't come yet but I'm hoping that it will fit when it does.

Ok, bump pic!

Nice bump too! And I can see some of your lovely hair

Primark's a good idea and I need longer vests. Might have to pay them a visit soon...

I'll do a bump pic in the morning. We have a shortage of long length mirrors I can access while the boy is around. Previous owners put doors with windows in the bedrooms, so I can't turn on most lights upstairs without fear of waking DS. Trying to get a second to do a pic with him awake is awkward - that boy has a thing about danger. Edge of bed, stairs.. These are excuses ofc, but kind of valid :)

I got bumped off there. Great to be back and catch up on everything.

Great bump pics. Can't believe that I actually miss mine, really didn't think I would miss it so much but I look at all the woman I know that's pregnant and feel a pang of jealousy which is crazy.

Good to hear everyone is doing well. I have read everything but I can't remember who said what.

So N will be 3 weeks old on Friday I can't believe had my baby that long ago. She is very cute but oh so tiny, can't get over how big H is now in comparison. She was 7lb 8oz last Thursday so is doing really well. Getting up twice a night, has 2 unsettled periods during the day but otherwise is fantastic.

I have completely lost my appetite, really could go days without feeling the need to eat. I make sure I cook/make something during the day but don't feel the need to eat normally.

Anyone any plans for the bank holiday weekend? We are heading up to Dps family's caravan again. This time it should be just us so I'm really looking forward to it. Bit of peace away from everyone cannot wait.

Fabulous bump Too!

Glad to hear all's going well Pen. Three weeks already?!

I've got some things from Primark this time round. Completely agree re the bizarre sizing Too- two dresses, both size 10, both completely different..

quick question, does anyone Ff? how do you make the feeds while out and about? I was using ready made when going out but I'm having to switch to powder for outings too. but I don't know how to do it?

Hi everyone, sorry not been posting much. Have been reading though! And loving all the bump pics! (Here's mine - 28 weeks tomorrow - , although feel like everyone else's looks so lovely and neat in comparison!) Not much has been happening with me. Can't believe how far along you all are!!

trix I ff. I bring a small flask with me.

Boil kettle and pour water in flask immediately. I usually have an ounce of cool boiled water in bottles then top up to the correct amount. Add formula (you can buy a pot for it), mix then if need be cool down.

I find this the easiest way to do it. It's quick and usually bottle cools down quick enough so N doesn't have to wait long.

I use this method at night time as well.

I meant to say that that was my 28 week exactly bump. Fox, you look much smaller than I feel! I kept knocking my tummy into people in crowded pub last night, which made me feel huge.

Musical and Purple, I hear you on worrying about post-partum figures! We've booked a family photo shoot for August, which was incredibly reduced from £250 to £25, but I'm worried about going along for photos only about 3/4 weeks post-partum. I also hope DH loses a bit of weight before then, but he was most offended when I tried to hint that it might not be a bad idea

Scan was good on Monday, btw - it wasn't Rude Sonographer and this one actually took my notes and looked at them! The baby is an estimated 2lb 7 already, which is perfectly average at 28 weeks. It's weird to think that some babies are born at that weight.

Pen, how are things going? 3 weeks already - I can't believe it! Are you getting any sleep?

This weekend I am going up to Aberdeenshire to visit family and friends, and then it's Great-Granny's funeral on Tuesday (also in Aberdeen) so we're staying for that. M is representing the 5th generation and I really hope she behaves. I've just discovered that the top I meant for her to wear at the funeral has a dark stain on the front, grr. Will have to rummage through her clothes looking for another plain white top. She must have one other that hasn't got pictures of mice or owls or dogs on, surely.