Due May 2008 - Second trimester, here we come!

[blobsmummy]

Hope you found it ok!

Hi, can't really add much advice to the people having problems with depression apart from my dh had CBT for depression and it really helped him. It was before I met him so I don't really know all the details. I think being pregnant can make it worse, last time I was worrying all the time about stuff and dh would find me crying every few days which is very unlike me, think I was just anxious about the reality of having a baby. This time round I've not had much of that, apart from every so often I wonder how hard it will be with two kids instead of one.

Luckily I don't have to think about maternity leave this time as I already look after dd full time, last time round though I finished work at 32 weeks, well I resigned actually as I knew it didn't make financial sense to go back plus I didn't really like the job that much.

Mumofk - just out of interest what qualifications do you need to become an antenatal scanner, I vaguely looked into it a while ago but from what I could work out you had to do a degree in radiology and there was no direct course as such?

ref: mat leave.

Im due 14th May and im starting mine on the 14th May (I am taking my 4 weeks holiday before hand lol so I finish on 10th April.

Indigo, I did a degree in radiography, worked 3 yrs in that, then eligible to do PG Dip Medical Ultrasound (18 months of the most stressful learning I have ever done- even the learning curve of having a baby wasn't that bad in comparison). AFAIK there is no direct course - or if there is it isn't a respected one. Some midwives have trained to do obstetric bits, and one of my colleagues enjoyed it so much (didn't enjoy the midwifery politics anyway) she did the rest of the training and isn't a midwife and just scans. Lots of people (drs and nurses) already working in particular areas (e.g. urology, A&E,gynae etc) train to scan just to do one type of scan, but I think that'd be harder to get a clear plan that would lead to you scanning. Anything complicated at those scans and they refer the pts to us (grrr at losing the easier bits of work and having to do more complicated stuff! But that's a work gripe....)
Oh, the important thing is they have taken out the requirement to actually do radiography- you can now do the degree, then if you find a training post, go straight on to do ultrasound.
If its just obstetrics that is your interest, then going the midwife route may keep you involved in the areas that interest you- of my training Obs was about 1/3 of the course, there is A LOT of other stuff!
You can really tell I've not been at work, and talking to people- can't shut up on here!!
mumofk

Well we are out of hosp after two days in with feet up reading on IV antibiotics. They have also reopened the scar about 1/2 of it to drain etc which will not help keep a nice small scar.

Sorry to hear about the anxiety. You can do colour therapy with food as an example red is anger and if you look at a red piece of paper for like a minute then look at a white wall whatever colour you see should be the colour of the food you should eat to negate that 'red anger'. Anxiety/depression works the same way, depression is blue but I suppose it would depend on what colour anxiety would be, do the reflected colour thing.

I wouldn't worry too much about early antenatal classes, I wasn't going to do any this time around but someone said it was worth doing a multiples one as it is very focussed on stuff like SCBU, coping with other kids, mental health etc as we are mostly likely to be having c-secs.
The thing with having an early antenatal class is that it gives you time to ask questions, read books that you might like to follow up on etc to empower yourself once they give you the 'taster'.

No maternity leave here, with dd I had an office job and left on the Friday, bored stupid all week, went to the gym every day then went into labour the next Sat.

Hi all

So glad that no one has come on yet and told me off [relieved icon]

How are we all today ? im feeling quite good this morning sort of on a strange high its lovely !!!!

I went with DD and the grandparents yesterday but only stayed for lunch ands then let her go back with them and play at there house so i had 2 hours to myself i felt OK about leaving her there because i new that they where just going to stay in and play and not go out (where she could be lost, stolen, run over etc) I know its mad but i don't totally trust them with her and if im honest i never really have !!

I love venting my feelings on here its a way of getting it all out without actually having to talk to someone in RL (real life) I think that's maybe why im feeling better because ive spoken to all of you about it so. Thank You xxx

CBT i have been offered cbt but i missed the first appointment and haven't taken it back up. I had a lot of counseling when i was younger so i know that talking about i can really help!!

Well another ramble Bye for now xx

Hi all

My cousin has just had a little baby girl! How exciting and I've just found out that his brother , my other cousin is going to be a dad 3 months after I have my little boy. So there'll be 3 little cousins in our family all within 6 months of each other! Shame we all live so far away from each other...I'm in Spain and they're in Canada. Oh well, now we have even more reason to holiday in Canada

I'm taking mat leave from Easter when I'll be 34 and a half weeks. I get 16 weeks statutory leave (full pay) and then I can add my annual holiday, which because of being a teacher is 2 months . That gives me 6 months and then I'm taking a month unpaid because the Spanish government gives all new mothers 2500 euros so i'll use that to cover not being paid. I'll go back to work when he's about 5 months but I'm going to go part time at that stage.

I must admit to planning this as I knew if I could get pregnant around July August time then I'd be able to add my summer holidays to my mat leave! my mum was a teacher in the UK and did the same with me! Good thing I got pregnant when I wanted to though.

I'm feeling really well at the mo but I'll be glad to be finished, I won't be one of those women who gets bored on mat leave. I have so much to do then, as there are so many things I'm sort of leaving til then. Probably not a good idea actually. Bump's not big at all but already starting to feel a bit like I'm lugging a weight around, especially in the evenings, which is when I work.

Macaco - congrats on your cousin's baby, it's nice all your babies will be a similar age although shame you don't live near each other.

Sweetbean - don't think anyone will think you are telling them off, it's all friendly advice we're giving each other hopefully!

Chuffed - glad you are out of hospital, hope the scar heals ok, certainly sounds like a stressful time for you.

Mumofk - thanks for all the info, I was seriously interested in doing midwifery a few years ago but nothing came of it. Might think about it again in the future but only when children are in school, I know there's job shortage problem at moment as well.

After 4 months of waiting for it to be plumbed in we finally have a working dishwasher which I 'm so pleased about. Spent the last 3 nights doing the washing up in a tub in the bath due to new kitchen being fitted & I'd just about had enough!

indigo - i know the feeling, we have moved 5 times in the past 4 years as DH does up houses, and they are always in a right state, and he puts in the new kitchen, bathroom, windows, doors, boiler, flooring, and just when it is nice to live in we sell it! luckily, we have done this for long enough that we can afford a 3 bed house now, yeah! alhough i did love winding DS up - 'so, you'll be okay sharing a room with the baby won't you?!'

chuffed - i hope the scar isn't too bad, you poor thing having to go through that over the holiday time and with 2 little ones and exepcting 3 more - eekkk! - i don't know how you are keeping sane!

sweetbean - you are so sweet! as if we would tell you off! {{{hugs}}}

kanga and macaco - that is clever maternity leave planning, i like it!

mrsstresshead - i am a secondary science teacher, i teach year 10 and year 11 applied science. i have about 45 min drive each way, but i work in the most amazingly lovely school. i am still being sick and feeling weak so i had an occupational health assessment and when i returned to work after being off ill i was given the chance to do planning, marking and other paper work, instead of going straight into the classroom again. i know i wouldn't be able to do it, and would have to go off sick again or start maternity leave early. but the thing is, i am prepared to work, its just i can't really teach these classes as they demand more than i can give at the moment! i am a bit worried about it all, but i have a lovely situation compared to yrs. i can't believe you only get 3 weeks sick pay and haven't had a risk assessment enforced that gave you more than 5 mins break every hour that you can't use. you have such a stressful, tiring and demanding job. can't you telephone head office and kick up a stink and be such a general pain the arse that they have to do something? DH's best mate runs a shop and an assistant there gave him such a hard time about her pregnancy, but he knew he had to accomodate her! and when his wife got pregnant, he felt a lot different about it! anyway, thinking of you and hoping things improve. xxx

to everyone else, hope you are heartburn-free, have no backache and are feeling lovely kicks and punches!
JBR
xxx

oo, and i almost forgot, i have a friend in RL who is on mumsnet too, and she is on the due Sept 08 thread, and our old friend StarlightMcKenzie is on there, so she conceived again really quickly, just thought i would let you all know, it made me really happy to see her on there [smile}
JBR
xxx

Awww starlight xx faberoo news xx

i'm really pleased you are sorted out mrsstresshead, you deserve a break!
xxx

Bump photo is now uploaded on my profile. This is 23wks with 3 in there taken today.

Even though I feel huge the photo doesn't look too gigantic (I think)

Glad you have everything sorted out mrsstresshead.

Thanks for the news too JBR.

chuffed, you are not big at all and pleased to hear you are getting better

Mrs stresshead, glad you are getting a rest soon

JBR seems like ages ago when you were off work coz you were so sick doesn't it.

DD just went back to school after the christmas holidays, after us taking her out of school for 3 weeks for a holiday and this week has already missed 2 days and sent home early for one of the days for not being well. Not a great start. Also means I am stuck at home coz DH hasn't attached the buggy pod to the wheelchair so that I can take 2 kids out at once.
Sorry a bit of a ramble, just decided to meet a friend for lunch coz I can manage on my own with DS walking(ie not to far)

Chuffed- Ohh noooo you've totally depressed me. We're due the same day and mine's only one baby and my bump's bigger the doctors keeps going on about it being such a 'tight bump' (yes, BUMP not bum ) so he must be a whopping baby!!! i met someone yesterday who is due same time as us and her bump is much bigger than mine tho... but she was very very tall so maybe that's why? It's weird how bumps all look totally different isn't it? Have you got names for your little girls yet?

Jacob- Yep it's me, Hayley. I've swapped my name hundreds of times because I get bored. 'Mumbles' is after the penguin off happy feet coz baby never stops dancing in there I've updated me to mumblesmummy on this list:

Bobsmum - EDD 25th April, DS 5years, DD 2years
Macaco - EDD, 26 April first baby
Potpourri - EDD 29 April, DD1 2yrs 8mths & DD2 15 months
Jacobandlysette - EDD 29 April, DS 13.5 months
Mumofk - EDD 29 April, DD 22 months
Greenapple - EDD 1st May, first baby
ShellySara - EDD 1st May, first baby
Seaturtle - EDD 1st May, first baby
Missvicki - EDD 1st May, first baby
Asicsgirl ? EDD 1st May, DS 2 years 4 months.
Goodcatholicgirl - EDD 2nd May, DD 15 months
Jennyjane - EDD 2nd May, DD 3 years
podglet - EDD 2nd May, DS 10 months
Yellowflower- EDD 3rd May, First Baby
Blobsmummy EDD 4th May, DD 15 months
LondonIrish - EDD 4th May, first baby
Mumtomadison - EDD 5th May, DD 9 months
Coolmama - EDD 5th May, DS 2yrs 9mths
Mrsstresshead - EDD 5th May, DD 3 years 8 months
hotpotmama - EDD 7th May, DS1 4yrs, DS2 3yrs
Walkingwomb - EDD May 7th, first baby
deepblue - EDD 7 May, first baby
Jackblackroady - EDD May 8th, DS 12 years
MrsVO - EDD May 8th, first baby
Indiechick - EDD 9 May, DD 3 years
IndigoBlue - EDD 9th May, DD 1 year
Wolverina - EDD 10 May, DS 5 years
Chuffed - EDD May 11? x 3, DD 3.5 years, DS 21 months
Hayleyandbaby(MUMBLESMUMMY) - EDD 11th May first baby
Mitchell81 - C/S 12th May, DD 7 years and DS 18 months
itsazoohere - EDD 12th May, DD1 12yrs, DD2, 7 yrs, DD3, 8 months
Bramblina - EDD 12th May, 1 DS 2yrs
Mollymawk - EDD 13th May, DS 2 and 4 years
Bobsi - EDD 14th May, dd 2
Kanga44 - EDD 14th May, DD 2.4 years
baiyu - EDD 15th May, first baby
GwenofLeeds - EDD 16th May DD 16months born May 06
Magicfairy - EDD 17th May? DS 13 months
PinkGlitterFairy - EDD 18th May, DS1 4.5yrs DS2 2yrs
Coby- EDD 18th May, DD1 18 months and DD2 3.5yrs
toffeecrisp - EDD 19th May? DD 1.6 years
sydmum - EDD 22nd May DS 16 months
Pazza- EDD 22nd May, First babies (Twins)
Fleurie76 - EDD 23rd May, first baby
Sweetbean - EDD 24th May DD 2.9 years
Aussiesim - EDD 25th May DS1 4.5 DS2 2
tootsweet - EDD 26th May
teeheelaydee - EDD 26th May first baby
sparky77 - EDD 28th May, DS1 2
pregnabrain - EDD 28th May, DD 2.5
TheDuchessOfNorksBride - EDD 26th May, DD1 6yrs, DS1 4yrs, DD2 3yrs
Gingerwench- EDD 29 May, First baby
Helen 3472 - EDD 30th May, first baby
beccablum - EDD 30th May
Secreteater - EDD End of May

JBR- we've just done our 5th move this year and I hope so much that we stick in this house. I'm desperate to settle now I'm having the baby. It's such an upheaval isn't it?

I've said a hundred times on MN but I can't say enough times how good BIO OIL is. It's amazing as it stopped my bellybar stretch marks getting any worse. I'm going to keep using it all the way thru now.

Is anyone else suffering water infections or inflamed lady bits ? Any ideas what that's all about?

Hope everyone's well and lovely and bumpy looking

Hi everyone - have been without powere and heating now since Tuesday night and staying with parents.

Have been moaning elsewhere that most of you guys probably didn't hear anything about the terrible storms in Scotland because they didn't happen anywhere near London

So here's you bit of education for the morning!

Back home this morning and slooooowly getting the house warm again. Snow on the hills and v cold outside.

Chuffed - you have a lovely neat bump and your children and gorgeous!!

Have my next scan on Feb 15th at 30 weeks due to previous section (new policy at the hospital).

Feeling well. SPd has good and bad bays, but generally way better than I had it with dd

here

Hi all,

Sweetbean - really pleased to see that you and DH have managed to talk and that you are feeling better.

Chuffed - I have just had a spooky moment looking at your profile as your details match exactly someone I used to work with who now lives in NZ, whose children would be the same age as yours now...I might have this totally wrong but if you've ever lived in London and worked for a property investment company in IT then get in touch! Just in case it is you and you're wondering who the hell I am, I worked in the training team at the time.

Hope everyone else is well!

Ohhh im intrigued to see whether fleurie and chuffed DO know each other now lol

Chuffed...your bump is v.v.neat! im 22.5wks and about the same size with 1!!! keep neat as you can hun!! your kids are gorgeous x

Yes that sounds just like me, left Aug 05 20wks pregnant with ds to travel around Eastern Europe for 10wks before going home.

you can email me taking out the spaces:
n levien at hotmail.com

Oh my god - what a small world!!
You know I started to suspect when I saw the neat bump you were very neat with dd and ds.
I'm at the same email address, still there but different role - you wouldn't recognise the place now.
Anyway, I'll drop you a line outside of MN and update you.
Triplets and on MN at the same time as me, I'm still in shock !

ohhh spooky but lovely!!!!

Hello all

Sorry have been quiet for a while. Life's just too hectic at the moment.

Just wanted to add a few words of sympathy to those of you suffering from depression and anxiety. It took me a long time to acknowledge it, but I think that I definitely had PND after the birth of dd. I ended up seeing a specialist perinatal pyschotherapist at my hospital. Got a year with her on the NHS and now see her privately as she helped me a lot with the way I was feeling.

I have been struggling again now that I'm pregnant. I suffer from intrusive anxious thoughts. I'll be carrying the washing downstairs and suddenly the words "Maybe the baby's going to die" will pop into my head. Or I'll lie awake for hours in bed wondering how I'll cope if something happens to dh. Am talking through it all with the therapist and I do find this helps, but sometimes my stress levels really scare me.

Would definitely recommend regular therapy to anyone who suffers in this way. It has, at least, helped me recognise these thoughts when they come and be a bit more rational about them.

Does anyone else think it's strange how many of us there on this thread who have these problems? Or are they just incredibly common in society, but not spoken about except on anonymous message boards??

Anyway - Mrsstresshead - don't know what to suggest re your work situation except that I'm pretty sure that you are entitled to your job back after a full year. So, if you can manage financially, that would give you more time after the birth if you feel you can't continue now.

Chuffed - sorry about your appendix - hope all is well with your scar now.

Oh, ps

Turns out I have group b strep or whatever it's called.

I have a choice now:

1. get treated with antibiotics now and then tested regularly in the run-up to the birth. Could mean I avoid antibiotics in labour, but midwife seems to think that women end up getting it back again and again in preg and taking too many antibiotics

2. not do anything now (it's not causing me any problems) and have IV antibiotics in labour. Had these in last labour and it wasn't a problem but I am so desperate not to be hooked up to machines this time...

not sure what to do. anyone else in the same boat?