Due May 2005?

[cab]

OK I know it's VERY early days folks but someone's got to start this thread sometime. Due date between May 4 and May 9. Any other takers?

Then I should think that you may show straight away...And if your belly doesnt give it away your mouth will......That was meant in a nice way

Where abouts do you live again?

Brighteyes, I had a really neat little bump until I was about 20 weeks, then I exploded into a kind of Michelin man! I'm only 5 ft 2 myself and no-one dared to tell me quite how round I got towards the end. Probably too scared

I really admire your patience in keeping it quiet. I told everyone about 5 minutes after getting the blue line...

By the way, don't worry about the birth. Hopefully it'll be the best experience of your life!

Hi again Cab. I live about 15mins by car from Harley St so easy to get to. You will have the CVS done on a Wednesday cos that's when Prof Nicolides works there. Re: CVS, the Prof looks at the feotus and you can hear at that stage the heartbeat. For the test, he switches off the heatbeat sound and does the test. When the test is over - very quickly indeed - he then switches on heartbeat so he know everything is okay. The risk with the CVS is that the needle that takes a sample of placenta tissue can go through a main artery - highly unlikely with Prof N. If it does, you don't hear the heartbeat when he switches it back on. I know this because I asked the Doctor doing the prep and scan before and after how long before I was out of danger and she said that everything was fine due to the heartbeat being present. Hope this info doesn't make you nervous. I would have another CVS without fail. Afterwards I was advised to sit for 20 mins but I just wanted to get out and get some fresh air. Also I was so proud of myself not fainting (I used to faint for injections - yes!) I just wanted to walk and shed a few private tears. That was for the first one, the second time was less emotional as no longer fearful. After the test I felt some cramps but just took it easy for the rest of the day. I'm not sure I would fly after the test. What do they advise? Also, you can be kept waiting depending on the day. For my first test which was booked for about lunchtime, I was advised to call an hour before to see if he was running on time. He wasn't because more patients having the Nuchal Fold test were opting for a CVS so he was busier than expected that day. I actually went there 2 hours later than planned as I kept in touch by phone as to when was a good time to go in. I preferred to do that than sit in the waiting area for that time. For my second test, I went in at 9.30am so there wasn't a chance for the back log to build up. RE: results: you will get the results on the Friday via your Obstetrician.
BTW, when you first go in, they take the blood test for the Nucahl Fold test and then they process it and 45 minutes later they have the results. It's at that stage that you then see the doctor who scans you.

The Bach Remedy is from Holland & Barrett or any health shop and is fantastic. Calms nerves. Had it for x2 C-Sections too so when I thought "Am going to be sliced open in the next hour" I didn't feel ill with nerves.

PS When Prof N walks in the room, watch how the Doctor who does the scanning almost bows!!! Enjoyed watching that twice!!

HTH

Brighteyes - I think you will be able to do it. It is amazing how much you can get away with (unless people have reason to suspect - but even then I had told my best friend that we were ttc, but she still didn't twig why I wasn't drinking at her hen night and her wedding!). I went to Malaysia and NZ between 18 & 21 weeks and I found that at that stage I could turn it on and off whether I wanted people to know or not - it depended on how I stood and what I wore! Even when I stood in a changing room trying on some trousers with a shop assistant who had just had a baby helping me she didn't guess and I had to tell her!

Eyelash - thanks, good to hear from you. Thanks to your magic sticks we managed to get this one with just one go!

I must be mad. I've just been to Mothercare to return something the wrong size for ds and I've bought some maternity clothes! Ok, they were on sale and I've learned the hard way in Mothercare that if you see something you like, you buy it now because it will discontinued and gone in a week but still...

I have no visible bump and I know that I will go up a size mid pregnancy but never mind. I am baby obsessed already.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Think I'm just going to have to play it by ear. If I manage to get away with it great but if to many people start suspecting I'm just going to have to tell the family individually.

Really do hope can keep it a secret though.
Would love to give dp's parents a scan photo as a Christmas present and see the look on their faces when the penny drops (It will be their first grandchild)

BTW ebbie I'm from South Wales

Snap Brighteyes - I'm from South Wales too but I've been living in England for 10 years.

Where in South Wales are you originally from Logic?

I moved to Staffordshire a couple of years ago and got so home sick I moved back to Wales within six months

Brighteyes - I'm from Llanelli originally. I would love to move back one day but the job opportunities in IT are a lot more scarce :-(

Which bit are you from?

Just outside the Rhondda valleys.

Live in a little villiage called Gilfach Goch, took dp who's English a rather long time to learn how to pronouce it

I would like to choose a Welsh name for this baby because we chose an English name for ds. My only worry though is that no-one here will be able to pronounce it or spell it My current favourite is Rhydian for a boy...

Before I forget, I advise you to definately go to antenatal classes when they are offered and to keep in touch with the other girls. It's hard in the beginning but it's essential. There is a group of 11 of us antenatal girls and we still meet up every week 2 years later and they are incredibly supportive...

Chicpea thanks for that - I hate the unknown so it should make things easier.

Kiqftm how did your docs appointment go?

Brighteyes, don't think I showed much until about 5 months last time, but best of luck keeping it quiet!

Logic that is sooo naughty buying maternity clothes already - the type of thing that I would do. I didn't need a lot last time cos virtually lived in some baggy dungarees while re-doing the house. They eventually fell apart so don't know what I'll wear this time around.

Fisil best of luck at the weekend!

Logic, Rhydian is a lovely name. I would rather choose a name that I really liked even if there would be problems with spelling or pronunciation rather than settle for something I didn't like as much.

I've always had problems with my name - Karra.
I've been called Tara, Carla, Carol, Carrie etc and its never spelt correctly either Cara, Kara or Carra. It doesn't bother me though because I love it when people say what a pretty or unusual name it is and there was definitely not a dozen Karra's in my class at school

I'm definitely going to take your advise on antenatal classes. I'm the first of my friends to have children so be nice to meet a few other mums-to-be, will probably be difficult at first because I'm very shy but I'm going to give it a go.

Brighteyes, Karra is a lovely name You can never please everyone either when it comes to names. My mum and gran hate ds' name and still call him by his middle name whenever they can!

cab - I still have maternity clothes from last time but I didn't lose all the weight (oops!) and of course I changed shape so it's a good excuse to buy new stuff The other problem is that I had a mostly summer pregnancy last time - poor timing on my part I know!

The weird thing is, I bought clothes that I wouldn't consider buying in a million years if I wasn't pregnant. I went for very girly, floral, pink, hippy type garments which are lovely but not my normal style at all. It must be the hormones...

My ms is constant and I had to run to the bathroom at midnight last night.

Welcome and congratulations to logic and tutu

There was so much bad news over the weekend here in Ireland. A mother and her 3yr old were killed by a flooding river after she had managed to save her 6yr old son, and then a father and his 6yr old daughter were killed in a house fire after he managed to rescue his 5yr old daughter. So much sadness.

I hope everyone is keeping well. My cousin has decided to call her new baby Autumn, but i am definately not calling my may arrival MAY!

Hello Northstar. I feel really sick too
Should have used the green icon really!
I can't tolerate the thought of lunch but I know that I ought to eat something really.

Hello logic, I have eaten three bowls of cornflakes so far today. Have to make ds lunch and just cant face it - he won't eat any more cornflakes!!! Everything in my fridge smells of food ...... so i just close it again.

lol cornflakes!
My ds has been eating a lot of cereal lately too.
It's a good excuse to get dh to cook dinner anyway...

Ms hit at 5a.m. - thought I was going to escape with just nausea. So now I can commiserate with everyone else. (although there is a tummy bug going around so maybe not).
Get my scan near lunchtime and DH (who wasn't too pleased to start with) says he wants to come too).

Hi all, Just want to say again how great it is having all of you to talk to as this is my first too . I've told close family and my line manager (some of my work is pretty physical so we're working out what I can and can't do). My doc has told me to carry on doing everything, but I feel twinges when lifting heavy things (sleepers and timber etc - I'm a countryside ranger) and would rather avoid this if I can. Luckily my manager's wife has just had a baby so he is very understanding. I just feel it's not just me I'm looking after - I really want to look after this little life in me too. Haven't had too bad ms yet, although feel a bit queasy and my appetite keeps going up and down. Came out of the house yesterday and the bone lorry came past though - came v.close to having my first proper ms! Boobs are very tender though and they already seem to have grown - they're sore when I sleep on them, don't know if I should get more bras now or wait and see how they go - (although already can't wear some as I keep popping out the top!)where is a good place to get comfy cheap bras from - do you get adjustable ones to grow with you?
Thanks

Good luck for the scan, Cab.

Given that we are getting a few more people joining the thread and we're probably going to be chatting for the next few months, maybe we should write a short profile each including age, occupation, number of kids etc...

Hi LittleB, last time I got lots of Mothercare maternity bras which are comfy but not exactly alluring! Personally, I would get maternity bras as soon as the old ones become uncomfortable.

Thanks logic - the scan went fine - due date 050505!! So I'll be 8 weeks on Friday.
The midwife was wonderful: Gave us a pic and offered me another scan any time I want. She was also very supportive re the cvs and told me to ring to book a 12 week booking-in appointment once I knew the date I was going to the FMC. Don't think she could have been nicer.

Profile: Scottish, 41 this month, 4yr old dd, SAHM/ help out in family plant business when time allows.

Cab - glad the scan went well! That is an excellent due date... is the cvs similar to an amnio?

My profile: Welsh but living in exile in the South East of England , 28, ds just turned 2, SAHM (stay at home mother - for the first timers) previously worked in IT

better check on ds now - he's gone very quiet...