July 2015 - we are nearing the halfway point!

[Fattycow]

We are already nearing the halfway point! Some of us have already reached the 20 weeks, the rest will follow suit. Let the countdowns begin!

Here is the stats list, please update them with your scan dates and the sex of you baby (if you know it):
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p3idkH2TaQYAy22I_N73k1_-G6Ezq67lAdhQvDjQkU0/edit?pli=1#gid=0

Oooh Zampa we've been looking at that paper in John Lewis. Our room is a bit too small for the two different patterns though so we've decided against. It looks bloody brilliant and wish we could use it!

Wow - excellent cover - thanks zampa. I shall also enquire. Peace of mind etc...

And make sure it covers all care for a premature baby itself as well

Im 15lbs up, but very tall and heavy to start with so not surprised. Sadly. Bump still doesnt look like a bump, just looks like I'm fatter than usual. Wonder if it will ever look like a real bump?

If travelling to Europe, it's probably worth making sure that you have your modern day E111 card (can't remember what it's called!) which should provide free health care.

The EHIC is the new name for E111. Please please have one if travelling to Europe as they cover you for state health care in European countries. Please also check your insurance covers not only pregnancy complications but any baby born prematurely abroad and the repatriation of you both back to the UK/home country. Insurance should also cover day to day living and accomodation expenses. Please please also check out where the local hospital is, whether they could treat a baby of the gestation you are when you go abroad and if not, where you would need to be transferred to. Take your maternity notes.

This sounds like doom and gloom but I speak from experience. My second son was born very prematurely (at just 24+6 weeks) on holiday in the Canary Islands. My pregnancy was uncomplicated and my first son was late. I had my contractions stopped so I could be transferred by helicopter from Lanzarote to gran canaria where they could deal with a 24 weeker. We were out in the canaries for 8 weeks with our elder son (only 20 months at the time) until he was stable enough to fly home. Thankfully after a long and arduous year long hospital stay he made it home. He's now 2.5 and doing brilliantly all things considered but we are one of the lucky ones.

I'm sure everyone will be fine and safe on their travels but please just be prepared. I hate to think what would have happened if we didn't get to gran canaria on time or if our insurance hadn't covered our air ambulance which would have been tens of thousands of pounds.

I'm now 22+0 with our third child and am not venturing very far in this pregnancy at all!!

wildfire, I think my bump looks more podge like than baby at the mo too. I was also a chunk to start with anyway. In fact, my bump is almost square, looks a bit ridic tbh. I remember this with dd though and have a pic of me at 22 weeks with a proper rounded bump so fx we both get more baby, less podge soon

Wow las! Bit of an adventurous introduction into the world for your ds. And what a stress for you. Thank goodness you were covered and all was well in the end x

LasPalmas There was a story in the press about a baby born at 30 weeks in NYC over Christmas to a British couple. They were covered by their health insurance but the Dad was self employed so they struggled with covering costs back home. It's a real minefield so FX this baby takes after its Dad and is a tardy arrival!

We're going to Tenerife so good to know that GC has a good hospital.

Glad that everything worked out for you and your DC.

Zampa. I was either going to be helicoptered to GC or Tenerife as they are the biggest two hospitals in the Canaries so you are in good hands. Las Palmas is the capital of gran canaria hence the screen name! I very first posted online when we were stuck out there and I was looking for support :-) my consultant is fairly confident this one will go to term as they think group b strep was responsible for his arrival and I'm being treated for that throughout with antibiotics. Fingers x'd for a nice big fat 39 weeker. I can't face the NICU slog again :-/

laspalmas wow you had a tough time. glad everything worked out for you
my mum is going on holiday in may. she is petrified that im going to go into premature labour and has made my dbro book that time off work so that if I do he can watch the dcs for me and look after the house.
how is everyone doing?

Glad that they're looking out for you laspalmas. Strep B infections do worry me but I guess one could worry about so many things. FX crossed for you on this one.

Wow I've not been on here for ages!!! How's everyone??

I'm in need of some work advice/opinions? So I was signed off work 3 weeks ago due to pregnancy related exhaustion (and I'm still being sick quite often ) my manager was fine with that, had regular texts of her in those 2 weeks wishing me well - all very nice. I come back into work on Monday just gone and again manager was very nice, didn't want me to come back in unless I was well enough, signed me off all travel and has even had it approved from a senior manager that I get equipment to work from home on those days I fe like crap - all very nice. That afternoon when I sAid I wouldn't be travelling for a meeting she gave me a funny look and then commented on how a contract I'm managing was a mess (well it's always been a mess - I've only just taken on the contract) so after having a little cry (for 2 hours at home ) I thought maybe I'm just being over sensitive. So friday comes and my managers in away with another colleague (where I was supposed to be too). I was having a tele conference and both colleagues were on the other end ready to meet my contractors for me. Before the contractors turned up my manager asked me a question on things I was finding out, I told her what I found out and she went to question me about 5 times (infront of colleagues) like she didn't beleive a word I said. I was so angry and upset because she has never doubted me like that. I got home that night and was going to ring her and tell her how she's made me feel (we normally have a very good relationship like that) but ended up not due to not bring in right frame of mind. So my plan is to speak to her tomorrow and tell her that I felt undermined and not trusted. Now I'm thinking about, it's made me think that I was being maybe a bit over sensitive, although I think I should still have it out with her to clear the air. Do you ladies think I should still speak to her tomorrow or put it down to me being over sensitive and her maybe having a bad week ? ( I've worked for her for 3 years and have never ever had a bad relationship with her) sorry about the long post. I should also mention it has been a very stressful week work wise for all of us xxx thank you xxx

I would have a word but keep it low key. That way you come off as professional and reasonable. Just explain that being questioned repeatedly made you feel undermined and like she was questioning your competence. Ask if that was indeed the case because you want to ensure you are doing a good job, or was there something else going on? Keep it simple and don't bring emotion into it. For all you know she was anxious about looking incompetent or like she didn't have all the answers in the meeting, it may have nothing to do with you! Big hug hope it goes well!

Thanks jmojo, think that's how I'll take it. We're due to have a catch up today so I'll just mention it when I have that rather than making a big deal out of it. Hubby knows her and thinks she was just having a bad week, although it doesn't excuse the way she spoke to me. That's one of the reasons why I feel like I need to address it. I'll let you know how I get on xxx

How did it go bust? Hope it was ok xx

It went really well! She genuinely hadn't realised she made me feel that way and said she totally trusts my decision making, she was trying to work it out in her head and mixed with being tired she said it shouldn't have come out the way it did. She said she totally respected me for addressing it and didn't want me to think any more of it. So I'm totally relieved!!! Phew!! Thanks for advice and asking jmojo and broody xx

Bust that is great news!! Pleased you followed your gut and said something!!

Thanks Broody.

Bust - how did it go?

Anyone got any ideas where I can get large nursing bras? Ive looked in all the usual places - hotmilk, Figleaves, Bravissimo, Debenhams, M&S, and they dont even go up to my current size, so Im getting a bit worried. I know I wont be buying til after the event, but Id like to know where to start looking at least. Anyone know anywhere that does a nursing bra larger than a 42H (current size)?

Aah that's fantastic bust, I'm so pleased it was just a bad day for your boss and not a permanent fixture xxx

I am struggling with sleeping - getting to sleep then staying asleep. Bloody restless feet is the main culprit

Ooh cross post Bust, sorry.

No worries wildfire. Thank for asking xx

So pleased you worked it our, Bust, and glad she was so sympathetic. She sounds like a lovely colleague!

Thank you badidea. She really is which is why it surprised me when she was being that way with me. Soooo glad I sorted it. Xx

Broody I had restless legs last night too. It's so annoying.

Glad your conversation went well Bust.

I am a little confused. My app this morning said my baby (19 weeks today) is the size of a tomato. Last week it was a sweet potato. Hands up anyone who has ever seen a 6" tomato??? Even the biggest beef tomatoes ever would be around 3" surely?!