Due Dec 2008: The second thread!

[JollyBear]

I thought I'd better start another thread as the other one was full to bursting!

Morning all

I don't know if any of you saw my other thread, but last night DH and I discovered we had won £10,000 on the premium bonds . We are pretty happy right now!

Interesting to hear all your musings on gender. I really wanted a girl with DD. I am an only child and was very close to my Mum and I really wanted to have that kind of bond with a daughter of my own. This time I am pretty relaxed. DD says he is 51% in favour of another girl, simply so he can use the phrase "my girls" .

I will be having this baby in the hospital. I would liek to go to the Midwife Led Unit but I expect they will insist of Consultant led care because I had pre-eclampsia with DD, was induced early, needed forceps, had a large PPH and DD weighed 9lbs 4oz. I hope I get a better experience this time .

I have just booked a private scan for next Thursday (we figured we could afford it after our win). I should be 9 weeks. I just want to check the pregnancy is viable before DH leaves for 2 weeks work in Australia (he is going next Friday, I am dreading it).

I hope you are all having good mornings .

You are so lucky! I am looking at booking a private scan but only because I am impatient.

Ohhhh congrats Artichokes! That's lovely news!

My first labour was 4.5 hours, second was just over 2 hours. So I think I'd better consider the possibility of a layby birth this time around! Apparently I have a very efficient uterus.

We're having a good morning except that it is totally peeing it down with rain here. Wednesday is the only day I have two DSs all day at home and they are getting cabin fever.

Ooh artichokes, I did see your thread and am very jealous . What are you going to spend it on? Good luck with your scan!

Wow!@Becky - you do have quick labours!

(Must confess to you all, I am currently eating Haagen Dazs straight from the tub for lunch. That's really bad isn't it?)

Artichokes you lucky thing! That's amazing news !

I had to have an elective section last time so am in the strange position of having two children but never having even had a contraction! I feel like a first timer in many ways!

I have a really random question for you all -seeing as you are all at my stage! I have to go to London (about a 3 hour journey from here) for a big meeting next Friday (I'll be about 8 weeks by then all being well).

At the moment I'm so knackered by the end of the day I can hardly keep my eyes open. All I want to do is go to bed. Feeling similar to me, would you just feel like getting back on the train at the end of the day and sleeping in your own bed at home - or staying with a friend and not having to make the journey?

All of my friends who are around have new babies and I'd be on the sofa bed, so it wouldn't be the most peaceful night's sleep! I don't know if I can face being sociable either if I am feeling like death but the long journey doesn't appeal hugely either!

I have lost the ability to make simple decisions such as these .

I would want to come home Hatty I'd want to be in my own bed. I didn't really sleep when we went to London.

Thanks Kay that's really helpful - DH can't quite understand why I'm fretting over such a simple decision!

I must admit a train with a pile of magazines and lots of food and then getting to bed by 10pm is tempting over being sociable - it's just because we're not in London much I feel I should make the effort to be sociable!

Hatty I would also want to come home to my own bed despite the long journey.

Artichokes that is fantastic!

When I was pregnant with DD everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, even strangers, said it was definitely a boy as it was all out front. I was so convinced I was having a boy I was in shock (and delight if I am honest) when DD was put into my arms.

I was induced with DD and had a very fast and not very pleasant labour. DS's birth was a naural labour and much slower (felt the first twinge about 9am and he was born 11.10pm that evening, although didn't feel like I was in labour as such til about 8pm). Have to say the slower paced birth was much better. If all goes well with this pregnancy will go to the hospital again.

Hatty I have to agree with everyone else - go home and enjoy sleeping in your own bed. Last time I was pg I had to turn down an invite to my oldest friend's birthday meal because it was away from home (so therefor a strange bed was anticipated) and the table was booked for 9pm (there was no way I'd last until then for food) and they were going clubbing afterwards (yeah, right!). She didn't forgive me until a year later when she fell pregnant and had to do the same to her sister!

I've always admired those who have had to endure long labours as I think that must be so hard to deal with. 4.5 hours and 2 hours were long enough for me! Having said that it can be quite a shock being quick. The second time around I was watching ER quite happily on TV with my DH and mum with just the odd niggle getting in the way, nice and warm at home and 2 hours later I had a baby in my arms.

Aw, thanks girls - you're right - I've booked a return that day to come home and sleep .

And am stupidly tearful at all your kindness in understanding how I feel and answering my question - I don't think DH's really understand the first trimester and he just lost interest in my dithering about journeys!

He is very loving and kind but I think because it's our third baby and we're both so busy with toddlers and work, he kind of doesn't understand the need to think about things like this or how knackertd I feel - I think it's a lot easier when you get that bump and they have a constant reminder!

Turniphead your birth unit sounds amazing - I would have loved something more natural like a water birth or home birth

As I said to my DH: 'if you were six weeks' pregnant you'd be struggling not being able to take Annadin Extra every four hours and you'd take a month off work to lie on the sofa watching Battlestar Galactica on TV every day'. He didn't disagree with me! He has been quite nice to me though (but admittedly the novelty has worn off a bit as this is third time around for me). He has done the washing up every night after tea (a big thing in his mind!). I'm still cooking tea every night though...and doing all the cleaning, looking after children, as well as doing work (freelance at home).

Congrats on the win artichokes!

abby I am experiencing the exact same bloating, none of my jeans/trousers fit! I don't know what to buy though as the next size up would be huge on my bum and hips but I presume maternity clothes would be too big . Anyone got any ideas?!

hatty Glad you had lots of helpful comments on your dilemma!

Yikes, talking about birth already! Eeek. I love the idea of a home birth but would be scared in case I was a wimp and needed the drugs.

How are the sicky ladies feeling? DH brought me toast in bed and I haven't felt as sick today. I doubt he will keep that up for long!

Fantastic about the win Artichokes - great timing

I had DS at home so would prefer this one to be at home too. Am slightly worried that I might get the 'short-staffed' line, as I'm due a few days before Christmas (mw tried her best to put me off last time). I wouldn't mind the MLU, it's fine, but the post-natal wards are horrible. DS was hospitalised for 3 days when he was a week old (jaundiced and losing weight) and I was climbing the walls by the time they let us out.

Last time had first twinges early on Sunday evening, then full on contractions throughout the night and DS was born at 2pm on Monday. Apparently my established labour was only 8 hrs tho

Hi everyone. Reading this thread is a definite highlight of my day, I love hearing how you are all doing.

LittlePeanut I'm really glad to hear you're ok - and the nausea/tiredness etc are of course really good signs that all is well. Hooray!
abbymeg you could also try chewing on some fresh ginger - I remember munching on some slivers of the stuff when the nausea was really bad last time (generally on public transport) and it seemed to work for me.
nandos I am so impressed with your purchase!! How much does a foetal doppler cost? I didn't even know you could get such things.
msdynamo interesting about the cheddar as a cure for MS theory. I've generally been craving salty stuff - cheddar, salty soup, tomato juice etc. Haven't been too sick though luckily, hopefully all's still ok in there. Also I'm glad you asked the sex question! I've been wondering the same thing myself. Have only managed it once thus far with DH, and unfortunately it wasn't all that comfortable, not sure why. I have also helped myself though too, and I did experience some cramping after having a big O...
Flumpybumpy don't leave us, we'll miss you! I'm sure some of us will pop anyway before December, so I have no doubt you won't be the only one with a November baby.
Turniphead1 sorry to hear about the cyst. The body is an amazing thing though, hopefully it will deal with it itself without the need for any intervention. I will cross my fingers for you!
majormoo regards a dating scan, I know St George's hospital in Tooting have a day walk in clinic in the morning where they might do one for you (at least, they did for me last time no problems). I know it's probably still not ideal with your location though. You could also try ringing up the Brighton hospital everyday to ask if there are any free spots until they get sick of you and give in!? I think nuchals are from week 11-13 to, so perhaps could you ask Kings to book you one right in the middle of where you think week 12 might be and hope it falls within that time period?
kayz I love the wedding ring test. I tried it and the darn thing swung side to side in a circle. LOL. Is it possible I might have caught some of your twin magic and will be having one of each?
artichokes congrats on the win! That must be a huge relief - you'll be all set now for any extra little expenses... I think you should reward yourself with some shopping. I went and bought a new bra yesterday, and I am in heaven! Went up a cup and back size and it is SO much more comfortable. It's still an underwire one though, will probably have to change that over next time as they say wearing one can cause mastitis.
Jollybear I also bought some nice stretchy leggings which I can wear with boots and have a big top or jumper over the top of them, and some nice trousers with a wide flat stretchy waist band which are very comfortable but still look a little formal. Had to do this because I'm not fitting any of my trousers at the moment, I definitely have a bump there. I also bought a lovely double breasted wrap jacket which I can move the buttons on as I get fatter more pregnant.
Becky I hope I catch some of your 'fast labour' vibes! Knowing my luck I'll probably get stuck for days with a long labour. I once heard someone say giving birth is like trying to poo a pumpkin - now there's a nice mental image for you all!

artichokes how lovely - congratulations. It's brilliant timing too.

Becky could swear you are talking about my DH .

Big waves to fellow salt and vinegar crisp lovers majormoo and hiccymapops. Jollybear I bought big trousers in the next size up and have spent all day pulling them up! I cannot win .

Bisou How are you? You always post to ask about everyone else. I had ginger beer today which was nice. Am finding that I can only eat fruit gums before 9am.

I told my boss today. She was lovely - really supportive. So that's one less thing to feel anxious about.

Afternoon all!
I have had to book a private scan for Saturday to get an idea of my dates and to reassure myself, as I am getting myself in a complete state over the pregnancy following my MC in February. Now really really worried about the scan. I keep telling myself that being as tired as I am is a good sign (I am in bed by 8.30pm at the moment) and feeling sick on and off throughout the day. I keep prodding my boobs to see if they still hurt and they do!

Have most people heard from their midwives yet?

Oh toratora I know exactly how you feel. I had a missed MC between DS1 and DS2 so I felt exactly the same when I was due for a scan with DS2 and I feel the same now in anticipation of my scan which won't happen for another month. It's a horrible feeling and I know nothing will properly reassure you until you see your baby on the screen.

My midwives told me to go away and come back later! In a nice way of course.

I haven't heard anything from the midwives, I am hoping I get my pregnancy notes before my nuchal scan on the 23rd May as the letter says that without the notes they won't scan you.

hi everyone!
jollybear- i have the same problem too with my maternity jeans under belly- have to keep pulling them up!
dunno what to do to keep them to stay up..
bisou- i bought them on ebay.co.uk for abt 24gbp and it says could hear heartbeat from 10 weeks onwards. i really hope i can hear it by then!
beckybendy- im sorry abt your previous missed mc ..btw is it only after the scan that u were told it is a missed mc? and do u have any symptoms that time?
am gonna be 10 weeks this friday but worried sick cos' have no sickness whatsoever. is this a bad sign? my scan will be on the 21st may which is 3 weeks from now ..

Kayz, I had a pretty fast labour with DS, mild contractions for a day or so, then at the hospital 1:30am and DS born 4:30. If I remember, the second stage was 50 mins... my sister had fast labours as well (first 3 hours despite epidural and being flat on her back, 2nd 40 mind ) so a home birth is looking good atm . DH not so keen though. We do have to move before I have this baby as we don;t have any space, so I should wait and see what the local hospitals are like I suppose.

First day of feeling really crap (am about 5 1/2 weeks), lying on sofa hoping DS would have a nap. Of course he didn't. Back to work tomorrow for a snooze at my desk.

Loads to catch up on, just wanted to say congrats to Artichokes and good luck to those with mw appointments and scans looming

Bisou you are far too good and the whole big post remembering everything and everuyone thing

I have scanned and am posting on the run as I have an essay to finish, a presentation to prepare and other bits and bobs of homework to do before tomorrow!

4.5 hours from waking up to holding Ds I'll cough this one out Either that or I'll get payback for last time and have 78 hours of hell. But I'm going to stick with the coughing theory for now

Actually it wasn't that nice, homebirth etc very nice, liked the fact that I didn't have to go anywhere but it was very intense. Literlaly within 5 mins of waking up and going to the loo I was on the floor hurling my guts up and having continuous contractions with no break at all so I just couldn't manage to get into a good "zone" for breathing etc. I'd quite welcome a slightly longer labour with a bit of a gentle build up.

Congrats artichokes!

Nandos - it was at the 12-week scan that we found out and I had no symptoms at all. In fact the first thing I said was: 'It can't be true. I still feel pregnant!'. I still felt sick and I still felt tired and still felt that way when we went home that afternoon and until after I'd had the D&C. They told me that the body often still thinks it is pregnant if the baby is still inside you and keeps releasing the hormones. It feels a long time ago now... but I think it must have happened for a reason.

Hello everyone.

I have been thinking I would like a homebirth as we dont drive and we wouldn't have to depend on my mum. Also it would guarentee(sp) I could use a pool. We have got to move though as we live in a first floor flat.

I am more worried about what the neighbours will think.