Due December 08 - time to start blooming and glowing.

[JamInMyWellies]

New thread lovely ladies

Verso that sounds like a terrible commute. I use the tube to get to and from work. On the way in I normally get a seat within one or two stops but on the way home it is really crowded. I have developed a tactic of pushing my way to the priority seat, sticking my bump out as far as it will go, rubbing it in an obviously pregnant way and fanning myself as if I might faint. 8 out of 10 times I get offered a seat. If I don't then I either ask (I have to be desperate) or edge along to another seat and stick my bump in a different person's nose. I even choose my work outfits on the basis of what emphasises my bump most for the commute!

Doh! Pregnant brain!

Sorry - congratulations Artichoke! Love your tube bump strategy! It's amazing how some outfits make you look more pregnant than others isn't it!

Turnip I hereby promote you to Queen of freelance faffers today (although I may well have to hotly contest that role myself!)

Hi from sunny sydney, well actually it is dark now but the weather has been great! Welcome to our newbies and I can't believe how much chatting you have done since I was last here! The maternity bra info was great and also hearing about how you have managed your newborns is really really useful for a first timer like me.Thank you!

Sorry about the lack of posts and now a big me post. We have had a bit of a time moving to Australia and with bubs misbehaving and 3 weeks of bleeding, including a huge one that ended in a+e on Friday (sorry if TMI). The foetal morphology scan today looks good although they still havent got a great view of the lower spine (concern about spina bifida after the triple test results).

Has anyone ever experienced ongoing bleeding 2nd trimester? I am now 18 weeks and the scans all show a growing baby and no placental abruption. Any thoughts or comments gratefully received.

bisou RHW has been great, I got in although living out of area because of all the probs. I hope you are getting a good service from them too!

artichokes congrats on the promotion!

Take care girls and rightfully claim that seat on the tube you Londoners!

Oh clear off wombat with your wonderful weather blah blah blah

I've just had to rescue my washing from yet another downpour.

Wombat I really hope things settle down for you, the stress of moving etc and then all of that is horrible. Glad that the baby is growing etc. Fingers crossed that things calm down and that all scans etc continue to look good. And that you keep your sunny weather of course

Artichokes - congratulations on the promotion, what fabulous news and a brilliant maternity package !
GBB I know what you mean about bump-touching, I am not a fan ! My best friend asked if she could have a feel at the weekend and that was fine but it is the random people I barely know copping a feel that I hate !
Nolda hurray for amnio results - that must be such a weight off your mind. I can't remember if I said last week but my 16 week blood test came back low risk - phewey !
waitinggirl yippeee for hearing the HB - it is exciting isn't it !
Aahh Verso poor you, commute on tube with bump sounds dreadful {{big hugs}}

Well today is officially 'kick-day' for me - have been feeling tiny kicks on and off for a couple of weeks (been in denial a bit as I hate the idea of baby moving inside me) but today they are definitely baby movements - some are like small twitches (mini kicks) and others more like he is moving position as they last longer. I was nearly in tears earlier as I really don't like it - I'd better get used to it pronto though !
Less than 2 weeks until 20 week scan - hurray !

cross-posted snowombat - so sorry to hear that you have been having a stressful time. Maybe you could start a thread on Pregnancy and see if anyone can advise. Good news that baby is growing though

snowwombat: sorry to hear about the hospital visits. Hope it was a random happening and things are fine from now on.

Artichokes: congrats on the promotion

Hatty: have been getting waves of nausea and diziness recently, not sure if it's because I'm tired. Got some pg vits and iron today in case it's my iron levels (can't do any harm). I finally get to see the mw next week to get booked in and get my notes - at 16 weeks!

Verso: do you get a free upgrade t0 1st calss later on or are you on a suburban line? If we end up moving as planned, I should be ensconced in first from about 32 weeks. You do have to ask for seats though, people either don't notice or are too scared to ask in case you aren't pg .

Hello all,

artichokes Congrats on the new promotion!

verso What a terrible journey. I hope you've recovered now. I think Hatty's trick is a good one. I'd be scared to ask for a seat too

hatty Good luck at your appointment!

snowwombat What a stressful time. I hope everything settles down from now on

mibbes How exciting you are feeling kicks! I'm sure you'll get used to it very quickly.

hatty and effie I'm still getting nausea and sickness so am still on the anti-sickness tablets. I was sick yesterday for the first time in nearly a week, just when I finally thought things had settled!

re the routine discussions: I need to do some reading up, I haven't really considered what to do when the baby arrives! Is there a general baby care book I could get instead of choosing a particular baby guru? Any recommendations ladies?

Hope everyone else is OK.

Jollybear: if you get one book I would say get this:

www.amazon.co.uk/What-Mothers-Do-Especially-Nothing/dp/0749926201/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=121 5522172&sr=8-1

also I found a general book like the Rough Guide to Babies or What to Expect in the First Year pretty helpful. I'd avoid parenting guru books, but then I know I get stressed if things seem 'wrong' when they're prob perfectly normal

Verso you poor thing ia m very hormonal i just had a little sniffle when i read the bit about you crying and the stranger hugging you.

Hello back from London, only traveled on the tube during off peak times so got offered lots of seats. Very dif from when i used to travel to work on the Northern line. I actually had a man race me for the last seat on the carriage. As penance to him i reached across him to get the metro that was just behind his head against the window of the tube and practically rubbed my 7months bumps in his face, then thankfully someone stood up right opposite him so i was able to fix him with a "if i see you in a dark alley i will scratch your eyes out stair" for the remainder or his trip (2 stops!). Another time i stood when there was no seats but knew from experience that loads got off after a couple of stops (itwas on a trip home) and was chatting to a work mate so wasn't too bothered. But at the next stop there was near riot on my carriage as a man who was also standig took the last seat instead of offering it to me several of the other women standing were yelling at him and a women who was seated shamed him by offering her seat before he had a chance. Very funny as i wasn't really that bothered.

The worst experience ever though which eventually led to me deciding to finish work 5 weeks before DS's edd was changing trains at Bank and having people actually push into my belly it was so painful and when i cried out for people to stop a man in the crowd told me to chill out and get of the way. I was in tears and desperate to get home and cut in front of someone to get to the stairs the person i cut in front of said 'you could at least say excuse me' well that was the last straw and the poor man got an ear full. I didnt do much for image of pregnant women as hysterical bags of hormones, but i felt a little better.

wombat hope you a doing better soon. Will be joining you in Sydney in about 18months.

Oh i have read that What mothers do especially when it looks like nothing also, can't recommend it enough made a big difference about how i feel about myself as a mother.

Congrats on the promotions.

Snowombat am sorry you are having a tough time at the mo. I did bleed pretty much all the way theough my 3rd trimester last time but I had low lying placenta. It does sound though they are keeping a close eye on you which is good. Remember we are here to help as much as we can.

I bought several book last time round, the one I found the most hilarious Also there was one by the girl who use to do Mel and Sue at lunchtime Mel Giedroyc?? I also got the rough guide What to expect when you are expecting was a good one. Loads more I read far too much!

the Vivky Iovine book is v v good. I found her book on the 1st year much less so (controlled crying at 5 months, anyone?)

I've got a copy of that What Mothers Do, must read it!

What to expect is pretty good as well

the rough guide to pregnancy is really funny but also gives you facts which is nice.

I have evil indigstion tonight DH is away for work again and trying to get inspired to make dinner but not easy when i feel like my gastric system feels like it wants to burp up liquid hot magma.

also feeling very large on the weekend at friend of a friend looked completely mortified when i stated i was 16 weeks pregnant she wasn't actually a part of the conversation i was just telling my friend how far along i was and this women turned around completely aghast and said "sixteen weeks my goodness your big for 16 weeks". I must add this women has 2 children and doesn't look like she has tried at all to lose any of her maternity weight. later i realised i should have gotten her back by asking when her baby is due. But anyway damage is done and now i feel massive. Luckily prenatal DVD arrived today and pregnancy yoga so at least i can try to tone up a bit.

I am 18 w tomorrow and I am beached. I feel about 20st and very out of condition. Need to do more exercise and eat more veggies. Less cheese. Wore my fit flops today and they have made a hole in my foot. So much for getting fit again.

AM just surveying newly painted loft and deciding I don't like the paint! Is it too late to change my mind?

Veggie mum - are you mainlining gaviscon / rennies yet? Seems to be popular with heartburn (one of the few ailments I don't get, but I'll swap you my thrush (sorry TMI) any day )

yeah first thing tomorrow i'm going straight to boots for a couple of big bottles of gaviscon.

Nasty, thrush, that does trump indigestion.

what don't you like about the paint job, is it DIY or did you have it done professionally. if you had it done professionally maybe you could blame the painter and demand it be done again.

OOh thanks for the book suggestions - have marked them all on my wish list on amazon and will buy some after 20 week scan
I am also suffering from indigestion on and off - evil acid
I have a pre-natal dvd which I have done twice once at 7 weeks and tonight ! It is Erin O'Brien (some American personal trainer lady) and it is quite good - quite challenging but very manageable and I definitely felt sore the following day last time I did it. I really must try and do it more often though, once every 3 months is poor ! Also plan to get the Davina one
Veggie women can be complete b!tches - that is so nasty, esp when she knows what it feels like - witch !

thanks mibbles i just had one of those M&S chocolate puddings with the sauce in the middles so feel loads better now.

veggie if it's any consolation, I feel huge too - not least after invisible-bump-on-train-gate yesterday. I bet you're about half my size! I'm trying to pluck up the courage to wear a very maternity-shaped top to work today. I think it will help with the train but I'm at how enormous pg I look!

My recommendation bookswise is to read them all before the baby comes. I pored over loads of pregnancy books last time but thought I'd read the babycare ones when the baby came . Let's say YOU WON'T HAVE TIME. Even having had one boob-fiend baby I'm still in slight denial this time round about how much time I'll have post-birth - so keep having to remind myself YOU WON'T HAVE TIME YOU WON'T HAVE TIME.

Ooh - one exception though. I loved "Best Friend's Guide to Pregnancy" (bit American but great) but then made the mistake of reading the one about "surviving the first year" before the birth and got very very upset as it sounds hopelessly negative. Thing is, it's quite accurate - but you might not want to know!

And I second the thumbs up for "Rough Guide". Love the tone of this one - except the birth bit at the end is a bit rushed (because it was an emergency c/s).

"What to Expect" is still fab though - if you can get over some of the cringeworthy/kitschy language... "don't let temptation take a tumble" and "double-the-milk shake" etc (eww). Very informative though. My four penn'orth about the "first year" one (and similar books) is that they don't say anywhere near enough about the MOTHER and RECOVERY once the baby is born. It's like the focus is on you for nine/ten months and then suddenly you don't exist. I found that very dispiriting last time!

(Sorry have rambled - can you tell I'm a pg-book-junkie?!)

Thanks muchly for all the support for my wibble yesterday. Let's hope things go better today.

verson that's very true what you said about hardly anything is written about the mum & recovery afterwards. I had to rely on what my friends and SILs told me! I am wondering how I'm going to rest when the baby does though with a toddler around. Guess that's what Cbeebies is for