Due in June 2008: bring on the bumps! (and that's before Christmas meals!)

[aberdeenhiker]

The last message I posted seems to have filled up the old thread so I thought I'd start a new one.

Since bump size was our last topic, I thought this might do for a thread title.

nettiehay and claphamkitten I am in the same boat, struggling to stay awake and seem interested at work all day then when I get home spending all evening asleep on the sofa, beginning to feel like all I do is sleep and work! I've started planning when my maternity leave will start. Looks like it will probably be early to mid may as I have a load of holiday to take too, nice feeling that it is only really a couple of months. Just had a quick look through the maternity info where I work and it doesn't state when you can start taking the leave from, just that you have to give 28 days notice of the date you want leave to start (does that make sense?!) but I guess the earlier you leave the earlier you have to come back / maternity pay runs out.

Anyone else not felt the baby move yet? I'm 18 weeks now and as this is my first trying not to let it worry me as I know it can be later. Have my scan in a weeks time and really want the assurance that everythings OK. The bump does seem to be getting bigger though which I guess is a good sign.

ernest you are right! shouldn't be complaining!

ktpie - i believe you can start your maternity leave 11 weeks before your due date - i'll be taking mine as late as possible, as we will need all the money we can once I am off and Bug has arrived.
Also, i didn't feel anything until my 19th week - and then it was boom! No flutterings or anything gentle - a big boot in the belly instead! Now I can't stop him/her from somersaulting all the time! Don't worry - once it happens you'll find it amazing.

I'm tired too this week, my LO must be in a growth spurt! And before anyone gets jealous of each other, I can confirm that I'm equally tired on the days I'm at my desk and the days when I'm home with my toddler. The days with my toddler I do get a nap after lunch but that's balanced by the fact that we're going full-tilt the rest of the time.

I spend all day fantasizing about bedtime ... last night I got the whole bed to myself as DH moved to the spare bed in DS's room because he couldn't sleep and wanted to read for a while (His headlamp wakes me but DS sleeps through it). It was heavenly.

And yes, nettiehay's right, mat leave can start anytime after the 29th week. I'm not going to be taking mine until I'm 38 weeks though, but I might use vacation to go 1/2 time for the month leading up to that. If I'm really struggling I'll just take more vacation and go off full-time. Last time I worked until 38 weeks, came home on a friday and had DS on a Sunday. Honestly it was nice to have the maximum time with him after the birth.

ktpie, I didn't feel DS until I was 21 weeks! This time I felt LO at around 19 weeks, so I'd say there's still lots of time yet (unfortunately - it's lovely to feel them move!). My scan showed that my placenta is anterior (ie in front) so is probably cushioning the kicks.

thanks nettiehay and aberdeenhiker that does make me feel better! Roll on the next week so that it's time for my scan!

Sorry to all who are feeling so tired. I work full time so I'm in the "don't want to be in the office" camp, but am sure either is tough. I find I sleep worse if I do no exercise so I march to the station each morning (20 mins), which is enough to get my heart going. Am not exhausted at all, but I definitely tire easier than before.

Got the train in this morning as usual and it was so hot I thought I was going to faint - not good for bubba. Was only eight minutes so am not really worried, but will write to the train company as it's ridiculous. Not a single carriage was bearable!

Re mat leave - yes, 11 weeks before your due date is the earliest you can start, your due date is the latest. As I said before, I have to take 24 days hol before I go on mat leave, so am starting ML on my due date, but actually stopping work three and a half weeks earlier on May 16. And will go down to four day weeks from Easter to use remaining hols. I can't wait!

Thank god for all the antenatal stuff between now and then - at least I get a few hours (paid) leave from the office every other week or so that way. Can't wait to leave at lunchtime tomorrow for antenatal physio! If only I could just veg for the next four months.

Hope you all feel better soon, and get an early night.

Hello fellow tired women of the world. I just dropped off Tristan at a party and asked the Mum what time it finished. By the time I'd walked home - (about 20 minutes) I'd forgotten what time she'd said. Then got a friend to phone up and ask as German telephone conversations are v scarey!! The party is for 4 hours!!! They must think I'm a bit mean as my boys parties are 2 hours long.

Just had a lovely little baby outfit from Mum in the post today with the tiniest of hats - hope this baby has a nice small head!!

Have scan 9am tomorrow morning, can't wait! DP has booked a month of work so I can get used to juggling a newborn and a toddler. DS is very excited about the baby, it's his 3rd birthday on Feb 21st and have got him a little present from the baby.

Also feeling tired, I tend to crash around 2pm and get a bit snappy with ds. Am fed up with needing the toilet every 15mins though! Bump is getting bigger and i've finally needed to move into some maternity trousers, really need to start sorting bedrooms out and painting.

calebsmum - good luck with the scan - how exciting!

On a "not having enough hours in the day" note - I read this recently, and I think he's got a point!

Hi all,

I am suffering with tiredness as well, although I couldn't sleep at all last night, so knackered today.

Kpie didn't feel ds move until 20 weeks last time and then only a few kicks a week, took until 22 weeks before I was regularly def feeling him move, this time I felt a bit of movement earlier but still not totally sure until last week and I'm nearly 22 weeks now (or am I nearly 23 - baby brain!), but kicks are really strong and frequent now which is lovely.

So jealous of everyone finding out sex of baby and having scan, we don't get a 20 week scan and money is a bit tight at the mo so not sure if we'll get it done private as we had hoped, wondered if bursting in to tears on midwife might get me a second scan!

I'm planning on starting mat leave about 2 weeks before ds is due but bit worried as he was 10 days early, but can't really afford to finish much earlier.

Katyjo - I think it's terrible that you don't get the 20 week scan. When I had the boys inthe UK I only got the 20 week scan - no dating scan then and we never found out the sex. I have to say that the surprise at the end of a hard labour is well worth it.

Calebsmum - good luck for the scan tomorrow

So glad to have DH home again for some shared work load

I woke up last night crying after having a very sad dream I thought I had been asleep for hours no such luck then that was me all restless again.

Bump has taken a sprout and I can feel my belly button spreading.

There is an old wives tale about big boobs in pregnancy - if your boobs go overboard with the growing then you are expecting a girl as you are carrying more female hormons.

Hello everyone . I haven't posted for ages as my PC waan't working - still isn't but I'm borrowing DH's.

I'm 20 weeks now and had my scan yesterday. After being so sure it was another boy ( we have 2 boys and a girl) we were told it's a girl! We didn't mind at all either way but are still rather freaked out at the thought of no longer being parents mainly of boys, but of an equal spread! Lovely to see that everything was fine though.

They are re-scanning at 32 weeks as my placenta was low but I had this with 2 of the others and it sorted itself out, so I'm not worried.

Now I have an extremely vain and frivolous question...if I do have to have a section, do they yank your tummy muscles back together? Mine are separated even when I'm not pregnant and I was wondering if they would repair them or leave me as they found me. Also, do you think they might be willing to tidy up my tummy at the same time? It seems a shame to be in that region with all the right equipment and not do some improvements. It'll be NHS but probably with a consultant who is noted for her fine needlework!

Obviously I hope I won't have to have a section at all but it there is a bright side, that's definitely it, as far as I'm concerned.

Sorry to hear about people's tiredness. I'm very tired too, due to insomnia and DD not sleeping and having a seemingly endless cold. And I can't shake off this head cold. My nose and eyes are so hyypersensitive from all the sneezing that just a gust of wind sets me off on a sneezing frenzy (with my legs crossed!), and I have rhino eyes, they are so red and puffy.

Nettiehay and China - making the most of it now as we already have B&B'sbooked in for summer including some on due date. LAst year we had 3 days of from 1st July to end October. I will be seriosuly envying you your maternity leave, unfortunately can't take any, if we don't open we don't eat, but luckily I do it with DH so he will have to do most of the work for the first month or 2

And sadly Rolf no, was hoping the same last time but still came out with saggy tummy congrats on your scan and your girl and good luck for your 32 week one.

Thanks Debs, me too, don't see why it seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery. But I didn't find out with ds until he was born and it was lovely finding out when he arrived.

Rolf, If they do offer to tidy up your tummy, I'm definately having another baby just to get the tummy sorted out, so let me know !! and congrats on your little girl!

Congratulations Rolf on your girl.

Sophie So far we have no-one booked in on my due date and summer is never as busy for us as the winter but I know what you'll be going through.

Deb - they are reagulars, this is the 4th year they will have been doen, only 3 of them a couple and their friend, the boys like to go and see the tanks - she was pregnant last year and bringing her baby so won't be too bad.

Regulars are so much easier Sophie !!

Hello all,

wow, really busy thread over the past few days. I also am green with envy re: afternoon naps. Although still revelling in new found second trimester energy/not vomming.

I also have my 20 week scan tomorrow (although am only 19 weeks), but know I am having a boy from the CVS.

Makecakes is the numb area on your thigh in the "pocket area"? if so your nickers are too tight!! I forget the name of the nerve involved (am doctor so should really know) but fat men and pregnant ladies get it as a result of pressure on the nerve, usually from too tight underwear. Should go away by itself.

Pyjamarama we'll blame the forgetting of the nerve on your pregnancy brain!!Hope all goes well with the scan tomorrow, and congratulations on your boy! Is it worse being pregnant and a Doctor because you have too much knowledge, does it make you worry more? Just interested!!

Even though I'm nearly 21 weeks I still have MS every morning before breakfast, I am able to keep all food down now unless my sickness doesn't come on time but I can imagine this going on all pregnancy now!!

Ernest How are you doing? In bed yet? Hope today hasn't been too hard.

Sorry that you're all feeling so tired. I have to admit to a sudden spurt of energy following on from dragging tiredness. Great to know that my energy spurt will only last two weeks, Ernest

We decided yesterday to take a couple of days off and hire a National Trust cottage in Norfolk for the rest of the week. Perhaps the last time we will be able to do anything like this for a while.

Have a lovely week everyone. xx Upside

PJ- useful info, although pain/numbness below pocket area. Plus am into giant maternity pants so don't think my knickers need letting out....dammit!

Drumrollplease have just felt Pip kick (outside the body) for the first time. Made the dog, who was happily dzing on my lap, leg it! Gutted DH away and not around to tell, so thought I'd share with my fave ladies instead!!!!!!

Good morning

Upside hope you have a lovely time away

Makecakes how sweet that your dog got to feel baby 1st shame DH wasn't there eh? Thanks for sharing with us, it's lovely to feel then at the moment before they get so big.