Due in December 07- Our 'June, June, getting ready to bloom' thread HERE!!!!!!

[Lizzer]

Hello all and welcome to this month's thread!!
Let's all stop feeling sick and start expanding now

housemum - that is so sweet of your dd - must be nice to be able to tell them and them really understand what is happening. My dd says baba and kisses my tummy but don't think she has a clue that a baby will actually be making an appearance!

MothofZ - my boobs are a bit bigger but I'm not really up to the next size. Have gone from non-existent to just baout there

Suey2 - is it Ok to exercise your abdominal muscles by supporting your weight on your elbows and toes (face down) and using your abs to keep your body perpendicular to the floor IYKWIM - this is what I've been doing as an alternative to sit ups - hope it is OK? Also was told by my mw that it's OK to carry on doig light weights - is this right? Thank you!

Hi Ladies!

I discovered mumsnet yesterday and was wondering if i could join you guys?? seems like an active thread! i am 16 weeks today with my third. already have 2 boys.

looking forward to getting to know some of you!

Thanks for all your research suey!

welcome kerioke!
Ah-ha skidaddle- the demon plank! Will be fine as long as you don't have to breath hold and you are used to it. Wouldn't recommend it as an entry level for anybody else.

Suey thanks for your advice on ab exercises - will take a note of it for post natal.

Last night DD sat right down on my stomach really hard (I was laying straight out on the floor) and since then I've had a horrible stomach ache so I went to the MW this mornign who was really lovely and had a feel of my tum and managed to find the HB which was fantastic. Then she said that my stomach muscles were still very far apart from having DD and proceded to show me where they are lying at the moment it's made me really (sorry if that sounds so vain), after DD I kept asking about my stomac muscles as no matter how many sit ups I did my stomach was still awful.
Does anyone know if they might go back after this pregnancy? Would a bump band help support my bump later in pregnancy as I don't want to get a bad back from my stomach muscles not providing enough support?

Macdoodle, roll on the next few weeks until you feel the baby kicking - it will seem a lot more real then and help you get your head around it more then.

Pecka - totally understand your logic about the months hire of the doppler, is it the type that you put headphones on to hear or is it more like what the MWs use?

welcome Kerioke what's your due date?

skidaddle I carried on with very light weights up until the day before I went into labour with DD, I really need to get myself back into a routine of going down the gym as I do feel being fit for labour is very important adn for recovery afterwards.

welcome kerioke

housemum loved the little song that your dd thought would make baby dance. THey are such sweethearts.

Does anyone know if it is still ok to lie on tummy? I wake up sometimes and am laying on stomach.

My boobs have filled out a bit more (as in they were already big but droopy now more volumptious!! )

Just wanted to say hi, I'm in the Feb08 group with number 3, but dd2 was born on Xmas Day 2005, 8 days late, so I have a soft spot for December babies

aw scully & congratulations on you pregnancy x

sorry, loucee, it sound like you were doing the wrong exercise. After this pregnancy i would ask your MW for a referral to a women's health physio. Most of the papers seem to suggest that the diastasis should close by the latest 6 months postpartum.
Sit up muscle (ie rectus) is not the one to focus on, it has to be transversus which is the corsetting muscle. It will bring the ends together so it can heal.
This is the advice post partum in my book:
-ask for an assessment of the gap between the rectus muscle bellies
-perform transversus contractions as much as possible in all positions except all fours
-avoid curl ups and sit ups
-wear tubigrip from just below the bra to below the buttocks
-when getting out of bed always bend knees and roll over onto side keeping shoulders in line with knees, do not attempt to sit up forwards from lying flat on your back

• brace abdominals and pelvic floor muscles before performing any activities
• avoid any activities/ exercises which involve twisting until the gap has reduced to 2 cm
• avoid any activity that causes the abdomen to dome
• wear some support during any follow up pregnancy.

Sorry, love, my book also says it will be worse this time: but give yourself some support and start your transversus work now to minimise the effect and give yourself a head start. FORGET THE SIT UPS THEY DON'T WORK FOR DIASTASES. (sorry for capitals, just a bit of a soap box of mine)

light weights ok if not bracing/ breath-holding skidaddle

Thank you suey2 - feel like I have my own personal trainer

Loucee - you poor thing - hope suey2's advice is helpful for you and try not to worry about it now and then really go for it after you've had your baby - i'm sure all those exercises will make a difference - you're not being vain - we all care about what we look like!

Hi and welcome kerioke - can't believe we're still getting newbies!!

awen - my boobs are also looking much more voluptuous - might as well make the most of it because after bf-ing no.2 don't think they will ever look like this again!... unless I have another one...hmm...

Suey thanks for your advice, much appreciated. Sorry if sound really thick but transversus exercises, does that mean from within? I don't think I understand properly. Do you know if I could be referred to a physio during pregnancy?

Re referral- i would ask, they can only say no.
Transversus. Ok girls suck it in! Easiest way to know if you are doing the right thing is if you are on all fours, with a nice flat back, and suck your belly in without moving anything else or holding your breath. Get that right, then look at yourself sideways on in a mirror. Make sure that you are not shoving your hips forwards and overarching your low back: when your arms are straight they should fall through the line of your hips, not behind. then drawn in your LO, again without moving anything else and you should be able to hold this contraction whilst breathing. I can bring mine in about an inch. It should not be difficult/ hard work physically, just tricky to coordinate initially.
Once you ahve got the hang of it, try and do it, like, constantly. It should be working all the time you are not lying down. Try and draw it in and 'leave it there', if you know what i mean.
If you can't get a physio referral NHS or privately, i would pay for a one on one with a pilates instructor- but make sure they are experienced with pregnancy.
FYI transversus abdominus is a muscle which lies under the other abdominals and extends from the ribcage to the pelvis up down, and from the spine to the belly button around. It's function is literally that of a corset: if you imagine a corset on, that's where TA is. SO it brings everything in and if we get it right, will be responsible for regaining (or gaining ) a flat tummy after our DC's arrive. Sit ups, trying to exercise rectus, which runs from the solar plexus to the top of the pelvis (the 6 pack) is no good until you have got the 2 sides of rectus together: you can actually make the split worse. I don't know if that is clear? find it difficult to explain without demonstrating and pictures

oops, the sideways in the mirror bit is standing up.

thanks everyone for the welcome! I have known i am pregnant this time round since the day my period was due (one of the trying to conceive joys!) so it feels like i have been pregnant for a long time!

my due date is the 14th dec... 6 days before my youngests 2nd birthday. my eldest is 7, so i'm going from one extremem to the other.. 6 years to less than 2! should make it fun!

I've no doubt you've been asked this a hundred times already and i am sorry, but what are your due dates, other children etc... would just be nice to get to know you properly!

Gosh, this thread is long! Had to scroll a bit way down - but here it is the due date list...
getting longer!!
had put u on..

jinxed 26th Nov 2dd's (2.9yrs and 1.6yrs)
Nbg 28th Nov 1dd and 1 ds (3 and 9 months)
BeansterMum 30th Nov 1dd (nearly 2)
cazzybabs - 30th Nov 2dds (4 and 2) 2mc
Angelhunter 1st December, 1dd (12 mths)
tombliboo 1st Dec 1dd (22 mths) 1mc
kandi 1st Dec 1dd (16 mths)
thelady 2nd Dec
BeachBunni - 3rd Dec
Bunny Baby 3rd Dec
mad4girls 4th dec 2dds (7,4) 2mcs
Ambi - 4th Dec
Kitsilano 5th Dec 1dd (23 mths) 1mc
BornToBeAPrincess 1st Dec 2dds (3yrs and 9 mth)
GemBean 6th Dec 1dd (13 mths)
Claraq 6th dec 1dd (19 months)
Taliac - 6th Dec 1dd (10mths)
mimicakey - 6th Dec
Lizzer, 8th Dec, 1 dd (7yrs)
skidaddle 10th Dec 1dd (17mths)
suey2 10th Dec
Caz10 11th Dec
daisyboohoo 11th December
Insywinsyspider, 13th Dec, 1 ds (12mo)
Bimblin 14th December, 1 ds (2)
dundeemarmalade 14th Dec
kerioke - 14th dec
Bambino1: 15th December 1dd (3 in aug)
Lucy 16th December, 1 dd (14 mths)
Fifisworld 17th Dec 1 ds ( 11 mths)
FurryFox 17th Dec apprx, 1 dd (20 mths)
peanutbutter = 21st Dec, 1ds (21m)
Bouncingturtle - 23rd December.
Curlygirly 24th Dec, 2dss (4yr, 21m) 1mc
littledetails 24th dec
Fleacircus - 25th Dec, this will be my first!

buzzybee - 25th Dec, 1 DD (5.3 years)
Keepitreal-26 Dec 1DS(8yrs)2DD(IDTwins 7mths)
Becklespeckle, 27th Dec, 2 DSs (6.10 & 4.4)
Niks - 27th Dec
Tabimum - 27th Dec 1dd(13 mths)
Housemum - 29th Dec, 2 DDs (14 & 4)
Neuro 29th Dec my first baby
macdoodle 30th dec 1DD (5years)
MotherofZ - 30th Dec 1DD (18 months) Imawurzel - 31st December (first timer)
Awen - 31st Dec- 1DS (7yrs)
Bettymamma - 31st Dec -1dd (22 months)

wow! very organised on this forum ay?! when you get the time can you add on my 2 ds 7yrs and 18 months... no hurry though! there are a lot on here arent there! well good luck to all and hopefully will chat to each of you at some point!

so what are everyones plans for the weekend??

Just saw this in the Chat threads - if anyone wants a pushchair that is cheap and weight doesn't bother them:

pushchair thread

Suey, thank you so much for taking the time to explain that. I can visualise it perfectly and once i've put DD to bed I'll practice it until it's perfect! I had been going to a private physio (through my work's private healthcare) for a bad back a few months ago and he did say I swayed my hips forward and over extend my spine when standing. I'll give them a call and ask if I can go back about a pregnancy related "injury" and hope my policy covers it. Otherwise your advice about pilates is excellent. Thanks Skidaddle, I'm hoping bfding will help shift some weight after the baby and then I'll certainly be taking over the gym!

Kerioke tOtally understand what you mean about being pregnant forever ! My boss and his wife didn't realise they were expecting and so when they went along for a dating scan it turned into their 20 wk detailed scan! Ahhh to find out you're half way gone must be great!

NOt sure what our plans are for the weekend, although it's a beautiful sunny evening here tonight so hope that lasts for the weekend!

Hope everyone is well,

hello ladies
kerioke- i know what u mean about being ypregnant forever i knew 5 days before my peiod was due which meant i got an early scan at just 9 wks and so got no 12 wk scan and have another 3 wks till my 20 wk seems along time ago since i was there, mind u not as bad as when i had dd2 as they put me at 6 wks from period with her then went for what should have 12 wk scan to find out was only 8/9 wks now that pregnancy dragged[shocked] as well as none stop sickness and being admitted about 4 times for dehydration god that was so boring.

housemum -nice to know im not the only one we also bought a second hand pram and it was also a specific limited colour i wanted and had been looking on ebay for ages forone that would post(as we dont drive)
on the cot front hoping to get that plain white one from ikea £49.00 i think as were on a strict budeget and hes paid £300 for the pram i want so betternotpush my luck

Evening - new to this MN world!

Due early December - but midwife has said new policy is they won't listen for heart beat until after 28 weeks and if requested.

had dd1 in London and they listened at each appointment. Bit gutted - is this right does anyone think? I know health trusts vary - still getting over nuchal £200 shock!
Definitely in that, no more sickness but no kicking stage, so some reassurance would be helpful. Should I make fuss and demand it?

All advice appreciated

Hey everybody. Feeling great now - tiredness still there. Dp and I have taken to sleeping in separate bedrooms most nights because I'm such a light sleeper normally and I'm getting worse. Never thought it would come to this already. On the plus side my skin is beginning to look fab.

Starting to panic now with everyone talking about buying stuff already. We are still in the trying to get the house up to scratch stage. Have been gutting the house since last Christmas and it's taking forever. Being very sensible though and have paid off all my debts and putting money aside every month into a savings account.

Hello to everyone new. Kerioke - I too feel like I've been pregnant forever. I sorta knew from the week before my period was due. Didn't want to confirm it though because I had a huge birthday party planned three days before my period was due. Ignorance is bliss ( bad mommy already) . Starting to fly in now though - one minute I'm saying 14 wks and now it's 17. Only three more weeks til the next scan.

dazedorconfused. It's really hard to say as the healthcare seems so different depending on where you live. I've never had much need for hospitals bar getting my tonsils out when I was 8 but I'm quite pleased with the service atm.

Housemum your dd sounds absolutely adorable. That is so sweet.

BEACBUNNI - I know what you mean about light sleeping.. i dont remember being like this with the boys, but sure i must have been, i'm also feeling better, but at 16+1 i'm still suffering the spotty face stage that started at 13 weeks!

DAZEDORCONFUZED - It does seem awful that you have to wait that long to hear the heartbeat! but like you said, each area varies. Although i'm sure if you had a heart to heart with your midwife she could be persuaded.. especially if it puts your mind at rest, she wont want you getting stressed.

MAD4GIRLS - Do Ikea deliver to anywhere or do you need to be within a certain distance to the store?? I really like the cot you mentioned!

And to whoever said about worrying about not buying anything... we are exacty the same, as a rule we dont tend to buy until the 20 week scan anyway... helps to hurry along the last half! and we too are still busy making space for another addition! Its all part of the fun thoguh ay?

Hope everyone has a good day and that your weather is better than mine!

Loucee- no problem, hon- i hope it helps. More than 60% of women end up with a diastasis recti and the highest recorded is allegedly 26 cm! so you are not alone.

Dazed and confused- my MW only listened as i had brought DH with me- she said that they don't normally listen for the heartbeat because they often can't hear it and the mother panics. Sensible i suppose.

My nuchal scan was free on the NHS- I know i am the exception though.

Morning all.
Haven't posted for a while and just been trying to catch up with you all.

We were away in Cornwall last week and the weather was so disappointing. We only had a couple of sunny days. Such a shame. We stayed in a great hotel though. It was Sands Resort in Porth. Anyone stayed there?