First time mums expecting Spring babies

[FlirtyThirty]

Hello!

I'm expecting my first baby on 24 April. I'm currently only 4+4 but have NO symptoms at all! Have just retested as I'm convinced I've imagined it!

Went to Dr yesterday to share the news and have to wait for hospital 'choose & book' paperwork so that I can arrange first scan for around 10 October.

There seems to be so many decisions to make all of a sudden...

Anyway...just wondered how you other first timers were finding things...or your other halves for that matter. Mine is still in total shock in spite of this being a planned baby!

Flirty x

Elpis - how exciting about your wedding. If you?re like me at 17 weeks, you?ll probably be fine to fit into it. My bump is still disappointingly small . Great you?ve had your scan ? it?s such a fantastic milestone, isn?t it?

evs34 - see above ? I think my bump is most made of Twix ? I seem to have developed a liking for them. I?ve had three this week! Disappointing about the IO clothes ? that?s the really annoying thing about catalogue shopping. I?ve got the week off this week, so I?m going to go to Bluewater and check out Blooming Marvellous. Got a bump band from Top Shop and, drumroll for new favourite shop: New Look in Moorgate on a Saturday. Loads of great stock, really nice staff and COMPLETELY EMPTY! It?s totally dead round there at weekend. Am typing this in my £20 jeans, having worn my £12 (in the sale) smart black trousers to work yesterday! Soooo comfortable. I?m going to lose my figure completely and spend the rest of my life in maternity clothes ? but I?ll be happy. A friend of mine with two dcs recommended the Clarins oil, but I?m sticking to (cheaper) Bio oil for now. I?ve had stretch marks on my hips since I was 17, so I rub it on there too, and it feels lovely and warm.

Binky - about the puking ? you poor thing. I think twins must be so much harder on the body. Good idea to get pampering with mum ? I?ve been seeing mine all the time as we were staying with my parents while our flat was being done up, and now they?ve buggered off to China for 6 weeks, and I?m really missing them .

On bras: I think you should be wearing non-underwired ones once the ones you?ve got start feeling restrictive. I got a couple the other week. Lepel ones are really nice ? I tried one one on Fenwick and then bought in a different colour from Figleaves. And I have a John Lewis one in bright pink with a bit of cream lace on. Really pretty. They are shaped and padded so give the underwired look without being underwired. Don?t know if that would work if you have proper boobs, though - I?m only a 32C. I use your technique on my skinnies too ? but with a crappy elastic band, because I?m cheap!

BrightSide - that must have been really hard with your friend ? all those mixed emotions ? you must have not known whether you were coming or going. Sounds like you dealt with it really well, though. I am eating peanut butter, by the way. Most recent thinking seems to have changed on that unless you have a history of bad nut allergies in the family, and the midwife said it was fine ? so tuck in! (oh, and just seen everyone else?s views on the subject, so I guess you have lots of advice already) I?m with saz on the steak thing, though. I hate well-done steak and I?m kind of embarrassed to order it, too (food snob ) . . . And just seen Elpis? post about eating rare steak ? maybe I?ll relax that rule, then!

Kalikaroo - think it might be a bit early to feel much ? although I have thought I might have felt a couple of flutters (wishful thinking? Wind?). Some days I definitely feel more pg than others. Mostly I have achy hips, though, so that?s the thing that makes me ?feel pg?. But I do know what you mean ? felt more pg when I felt tired and queasy.

lolianja - lol about your flat but reverberating stomach. My mum says she didn?t show much (unless you knew) till she was about 24 weeks, so I?m trying to be patient about my disappointingly small 17-week ?bump?.

saz - a couple of pounds sounds normal to me. Apparently you put on 70% of the weight in the second trimester. Don?t know how big you are, but I?m (still) little and I put on about 4 pounds by week 12.

Flirty - congrats on the scan ? have posted on Bonkers. And I like the way you?ve organised us into months . I think dopplers are great for sanity saving. I?ve got the Angelsounds one that CE recommended, and it?s really good. I use it once a week, otherwise I?ll get obsessed. Ooh, and interesting about the sushi ? so that?s back on the menu too! Hurrah!

Bicnod - yay for your scan

CE - woudn?t worry about weight. You look really slim on your bump pic! at your scan date. I have to wait till the 17th.

Jools - good tip on the constipation ? I tried that earlier on and then forgot about it. I?m heading to the shop for some right now!

hever - lol about not feeling pregnant!

May I join the Kingston ladies for pre-Christmas get-together? If jools and Binky (and anyone else in/near London) come too then I won?t feel left out .

Sorry for the epic post. Just trying to catch up after a manic week at work preparing for a week off. And? relax.

Oh, and welcome Ray and lou*March
Lolianja - EDD 2 March - Essex (but probably giving birth in Lancs)
ChocolateEclair - EDD 28th March - North Yorkshire
DaisyJ ? EDD 28 March ? Lewisham (home preferably)

April
BinkyB - EDD 7 April (but think will be earlier as twins) - Chelsea & Westminster
Evs34 - EDD 8th April - North Yorkshire.
Brettgirl2 - EDD 12th April Warwickshire
Salbysea - EDD 18 April - Dorset
Elpis - EDD 23 April (that's what THEY say; I think 25) - Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, London
FlirtyThirty - EDD 24 April - Kingston Hospital
Bicnod - EDD 27 April - Kingston Hospital

May
BRIGHTSIDEOFLIFE - EDD 1st May - Kingston Hospital
Saz007 - EDD 20 May - Durham
Jools1 - EDD 29th May - Watford General (hopefully the MLU if I can keep my BMI and BP down)

Oh my god . That is the longest post in the world. Sorry again!

Don't apologies DaisyJ - I am extremely impressed with your post

I've been to the gym again this morning - in the hope it would stretch out the buttock muscles that I abused at the gym yesterday

I managed Body Pump and Combat, but must admit I was walking through Combat thinking "please someone make it stop" for the last ten minutes !!! Have just had mulligatawny soup (haven't had that for YEARS but bought some on a whim yesterday) and am now contemplating either housework or shopping - I think shopping will win

I've lost 3.5 pounds since last Sunday - the healthy eating and increased amounts of walking must be working ! I am NOT dieting though - just eating sensibly, having my main meal at lunch rather than at night and having more fruit and veg than carbs, although yesterday I was so hungry I had 4 meals !!

jools - you sound like a paragon of discipline - I'm so impressed. Just one thing, though - you are being careful about exercising, aren't you? I'm sure it's fine, and you've had advice - I just know there's no way I could manage what you're doing, but then I was no gym bunny before, so maybe that's why. I know it's fine to mostly continue doing whatever you were doing before preganancy, though, so I'm sure you're up to it . (Hope you don't mind my asking).

Hi DaisyJ - no, I don't mind you asking

I'm overweight, but have got reasonably fit by doing 6 - 10 gym classes per week for the last 2 - 3 years. I've told one of the senior instructors, who has told me what minor modifications I need to make for now - but I've basically been told that as long as I don't get too out of breath or overheat, then I can pretty much carry on as normal until bump appears. Even abdominal exercises are OK within certain limits - and if the class is doing crunches that put too much strain on things, I just do some Pilates moves until I can join in again.

Once I start getting a visible bump, I think I may have to give up on a couple of the classes, but intend getting a personal trainer who specialises in pregnancy fitness and have a couple of one to one sessions every week for as long as it is safe.

I currently do 6 classes per week now plus 40 - 70 mins brisk walking every day, depending on what office I'm working in. I have replaced one class with a 5k jog on the cross-trainer, cut out the really really high impact classes and tend to approach all of them with less energy and general bounciness than before.

I generally do a a weights class and dance aerobics on Sat, Weights and Cardio on Sunday, 5k run and Pilates on Mon and Spinning on Wed

My BMI is causing raised eyebrows, so I need to keep food intake / weight gain under control and this is the best way for me as I obviously shouldn't be actively dieting at the mo.

Exercise is a great natural anti-depressant, which helps enormously with the hormonal mood swings and I am certain it gives me more energy. Maybe the exercise is why I have fewer PG symptoms ? Not sure, but I am convinced it helps. People say that childbirth is equivalent to running a marathon, so I'm just trying to keep in shape for that Also, I love it, and probably won't have the ability to get away and exercise once beanie arrives, so intend to enjoy the feeling of being fit while I still can !

welcome to the newbies!

daisy - I can't possibly compete with your epic post but you seem to have most things covered so I guess I don't need to! Glad you are well and I am wishing my bump was bigger also - we must remember this when we are 39 weeks and feeling like whales! lol!

jools - I am very embarassed reading how much excerise you do! My main activity after work seems to be laying on the sofa!!! I have this vague idea in my mind that I might go swimming when I have a proper bump!

I am enjoying a lovely afternoon of TV today and having beef cobbler for tea yummy! (I even had salad yesterday!!!)

CE - I think I saw a lovely bump pic on your profile ?

You don't look like you have any fat to burn off, whereas up to a few months ago, I used to get offered seats on the train because people though I was PG (and yes, I sometimes took them )

I just want to stand some chance of not ballooning out of control

jools - that's a fantastic regime, and it's great that you love it! You'll probably have a wonderfully smooth labour too, as all your muscles will do what they need. I think this focus of the medical profession on BMI is a bit silly really, considering what your underlying fitness must be compared to mine, and I have a BMI of 19 - I swim about twice a week (and walk a lot, but that's not exactly targeted pelvic floor work!).

CE - I know, I keep telling myself that. I'm only 5'3" so I know I'm going to end up looking like a weeble

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to let anyone planning a home birth know that we have a competition on Mama to be Goodies to win a birthing pool. Follow this link: www.mamatobegoodies.co.uk/win-la-bassine-birthing-pool-essentials-kit/

Cheers,

Kat x

Hello everyone!

I am back from a lovely weekend in Amsterdam with my best friend. We had a great few days....we shopped, ate pancakes in sunny cafe's, walked along the canals, and watched girlie movies. It was a lovely break from reality!

But now I am back....

My morning sickness has (touch wood) passed, literally on Friday (when I was exactly 12 weeks), I noticed that I felt much better - I still need to eat every two hours to stop feeling queasy but (apart from first thing in the morning) I am not throwing up anymore! What a relief!! Although...of course..now I worry that I feel perfectly normal

I am free on the weekend of December 13 / 14 for a Kingston Meet-up! I am looking forward to it!

I wore maternity jeans for the first time this weekend...sooo comfortable, although I do think that my wobbly tummy bump needs to grow a little for them to fit properly

When I was boarding my flight home this morning, the air-hostess asked if I was pregnant! I was a little as I am not showing that much, and I was coming straight to work - where no-one 'knows' that I am pregnant yet!

Hi daisy what a great long post! My friends baby shower was quite emotionally difficult but I feel that the bit I was reallly dreading is over now. We heard that her water's broke yesterday. Still no news yet but I am very, very excited for her. My mobile phone is never more than a few centimeters away

I have also heard great things about the Clarins Oil, I looked at it in Duty Free on Friday but it was more expensive than it had been in the 'normal' shops here!

jools Well done on maintaining that exercise schedule. It is great to keep in shape and you will be prepared for the Labour!

Right - I need to get back to sorting out my
emails....hello to everyone else and a warm welcome to ray and lou*

Welcome back BSOL Your weekend sounds lovely I may pick your brains actually - DP and I want to go on a short break somewhere next month for my birthday - we were thinking of Cornwall but it seems cheaper to go abroad, so Amsterdam is on my list of places to investigate.

We wanted a holiday of scenery, quiet country walks but decent restaurants within walking distance - obviously Amsterdam isn't quite the same as Cornwall, but I'd be interested in your thoughts as to hotels, and whether you can get some nice tranquil walks in along the canals

Hi everyone.

I just had another midwife appointment this morning. Had a bit of a scary moment when the MW couldn't find the heartbeat for a couple of minutes, but it was ok in the end - baby was hiding behind my placenta (it's on the front) and it kept scooting away from the doppler!! Must take after its dad being so awkward!!

Over the weekend, my belly has just popped out!! It literally happened overnight and now I have a definite bump, though you can't really see it that well through my clothes.

I'm going to have to tell my boss soon though (I'm 16+3) - anyone got any good advice about what to actually say????? I'm guessing he's going to be quite annoyed, but he'll just have to get over it!! I'm really nervous about telling him though....the thought of going into his office and saying 'oh, by the way I'm pregnant' fills me with terror!

Hi all,

It is my nuchal & dating scan this afternoon and I am very nervous! I feel really edgy, even though I am trying to stay confident that everything is OK

My close friend had a baby yesterday a bouncing baby boy called Oliver. I can't wait for my turn to have a cuddle

jools I love Amsterdam, so my answers are biased, but it is a lovely city to walk around. The canals are gorgeous and the cobbled streets are filled with character. I am not sure about countryside walks although the city itself is very small and the countryside is very, very easily accessible...everyone cycles everywhere, lots of fun!

I don't know about hotels as we always stay in my friends apartment but if you are interested I can get her to recommend a few good hotels or apartments in some lovely areas?

kalikaroo Good luck telling your boss...I am sure it will go well. I was TERRIFIED to tell mine, especially as I was telling her quite early. I kind of ummed and aaahed my way around it, all the while looking at my feet but I did not need to worry, it went fine. Good luck and tell us how it goes.

Hi there!

I'm not in Kingston but can get there easily from Clapham Junction, so can I crash the mince pie fest too please?

Kalikaroo I felt like I was a teenager telling my Dad I was pregnant when I told my bosses - but they were lovely, really pleased etc. Of course, they still haven't got around to writing our maternity policy, but the thought was there...

Maternity wear - I'm a convert to maternity bras! Yes, it looks a boulder holder but so comfy. Have gone from a 34A to 34C and M&S lady thinks I will be in a D in no time. Cripes.

Had a really fun time shopping with my Mum, so quick when you've only got the maternity section to look at! Bought:

• Coat from Zara (not actually maternity but was next to, and it's swing style so should accommodate bump)
• 2 x tunic dresses from H&M
• jeans, top and cardi plus party frock from TopShop. I think the party dress is my favouritest thing ever, it's so cool even though I will look like a big round berry in it. How festive.

I also managed a cuddle with a new baby, my friend's little boy Wilf. Adorable.

Now then, totally changing subject (again) what is this ugly rumour I hear about them scrapping plans to extend maternity leave?? It was meant to be going up to a year but apparently now that's being stopped. Amazing how maternity leave can be blamed for exacerbating the credit crunch - whatever next. Can't imagine v. popular with female voters. Elpis I seem to remember you are our resident political guru, so is this true and which genius minister shall I still voodoo pins in please?

Oh and stop press - heard my babies heartbeats last night at the GP. She was clearly 'managing expectations' and said 16 weeks is about the earliest you can ever hear anything so not 100% guaranteed etc. but there they were! Made up for all the puking. Flirty I wouldn't get a doppler though if you can't hear until after 16 weeks, as not long after that until you're going back for a scan, is it? Could just be one other thing to panic about if you're like me..!

Oh and DaisyJ how was Bloomin M? Worth the trip?

Jools - your exercise regime has inspired me too. Wow, you're obviously very good at this pregnancy business.

And brightside - pancakes? Mmmmm

Hope you all have good weeks and I look forward to meeting lots of you soon! x

BSOL - hope all goes well this afternoon I may pick your brains a little more about Amsterdam, but we are just waiting to see if a special offer for a Cornwall trip is real or too good to be true

BinkyB - I don't think I'm good at this pregnancy lark - am just trying to do what I'm told !! GP said to carry on as normal for the first 12 weeks and MW said not to diet but not to put on weight - as far as I can see, exercise is the only thing I can do to keep the weight in check - I enjoy it and am lucky enough not to have particularly crushing tiredness or bad nausea, so am going while I still can Not sure how long I can do Body Balance for though - I felt a bit uncomfortable last night and had to modify some moves that involved lying on your tum - then ended up with really bad acid reflux when doing bends and stretches - nearly threw up ! and got quite dizzy when having to change position.

well, I still think you're a hero

jools I can barely walk up a flight of stairs without wanting a nap at the moment, so I don't think you're doing too badly

daisyj - That's reassuring! If the dress is just too tight I may have to squash the bump for a few hours in big knickers. Does that actually work, I wonder? Is it cruel and wrong? Somehow it would feel cruel and wrong.

Kalikaroo - I don't think you should feel anxious about telling your boss. How does he think the species reproduces? I get rather annoyed when people describe having children as a "lifestyle choice". They wouldn't be around without it.

BinkyB - It's basically unclear what will happen to maternity leave rights. You have the right to take a year off, but you only get maternity pay for 39 weeks of that at the moment - the plan was to extend the 118/wk to all 52. Peter Mandelson suggested this would help small businesses survive the recession but other (female) cabinet ministers have indicated they are unhappy about rowing back ...
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/Parentalleaveandpay/DG_10029285

The thing is, though, it won't affect any of us (this time!) - it wasn't even going to be introduced until April 2010!
www.lge.gov.uk/lge/core/page.do?pageId=119649#contents-3

Thanks Elpis! Do you know what, I think I actually must have read that and thought next year was 2010 (in my job we're always kind of a year ahead which is my excuse, not at all pregnancy brain as I used to sneer at that excuse I think). I might just tell my bosses it's a year, they wouldn't know!

And maybe you could think of big knickers as just keeping the baby warm..? Some of those belly bands feel pretty snug around your middle and they don't come with health warnings etc.

My skirt seems to be getting tighter by the hour today - not sure how much longer I can last without buying something new - surely I shouldn't be growing this much with my first ? - am not 9 weeks till Friday.

When did everyone else start having probs with clothes fitting ??

Hi all. Hope you're having a good day!

Well, about half an our ago I managed to get up the courage to go and see my boss to tell him that I was pregnant!!! He was (contrary to expectations) really nice about it, calm and considerate ! We just chatted about how my work will fit around the maternity leave and what I should manage to get done before I go. Phew!! What a relief. I was really worried about what he would say and it's really been bothering me for the last few weeks. He even asked me if I wanted him to keep it quiet or if it was now official. Bless!! What a sweetie!!

Jools - I started to find my clothes too tight by about week 8 and was wearing the same pair of baggy combat trousers alternated with 1 pair of jeans every day until I finally went out and bought a new pair of work trousers last week that were 2 sizes too big (I'm now 16 weeks!). I still feel too small for proper maternity stuff, but I don't think these new trousers are going to last that long....looks like I'll be buying maternity jeans in a few weeks. Don't worry about your clothes being tight - I think it's a combination of baby and bloating ( ) and is perfectly normal at your stage (listen to me going on - the great pregnancy expert!! ).

I'm 14 weeks on Friday and not in materity clothes yet. To be honest I can't decide if my tummy is actually bigger or I'm imagining it! That said, my trousers anda few skirts do now feel too tight and I often undo the buttons at my desk (thank God for home-working!). Reckon I'll get another 2-4 weeks at the least before I invest in any other clothes. I have bought a bump band though and hope this wil tide me over til then. My problem isn't so much the size of my clothes as the fact that I don't like the feeling of anything around my middle. Think I may actually have to wear dresses only soon...

Brightside - I am getting a little worried that you haven't been back to tell us about your nuchal scan. I so hope that all was well with you and your precious cargo...
Thinking of you...
Flirty x

Hi all,

I am sorry for the lack of posts!!

We had the 12 week scan late yesterday afternoon and it was amazing The grainy, grey blob we saw at the 8 week scan is now a real little baby who didn't sit still for a single second. The baby bounced around like crazy...kicking its legs, sucking its thumb, turning around. The sonographer struggled to get the measurements she needed but DH and I didn't mind - we were kept highly amused! My due date remains the same and the nuchal measurement is a good size. All around good news.

Today I had to go back for my midwife appointment - which also went well. Unfortunately my blood pressure is a little high and together with other symptoms, this concerned the midwife so I spent the afternoon in cardiology getting an ECG. I go back to see another doctor and discuss the results in 2 weeks. It slightly frustrating to have the fun of the scan yesterday already replaced with the next concern!

After my appointments, I popped into the shops for some maternity clothes bits & pieces. New Look in Kingston was GREAT - i bougt jeans for £6 (on the sale) and a few cheap tops. Annoyingly, M&S and Dorothy Perkins have stopped stocking maternity clothes...which made it a very short shopping trip! But H&M also had a great selection - some lovely knitted jerseys

jools I spoke to the midwife about my DH's epilepsy - particularly my concerns about the effect a long labour could have. She was incredibly helpful and supportive - she had the point that if he seizes while he is with me in the hospital, he will be surrounded by medical professionals that can help him. She said that (obviously) it is important that the midwife & nurses who are with me know about his epilepsy so that they can deal with it and they can take that 'worry' away from me. It was great to talk through it with her - I highly recommend you do the same.

I also saw your post about your clothes being tight already - I was struggling with waistbands being too tight at about that stage too. I think alot of it is also caused by bloating. Feel free to pop open those buttons

kalikaroo that is great news about your boss, congratulations. I hope you enjoy the freedom of your 'secret' being out! I tell everyone in my office tomorrow (I have already told my boss, though - so the hard bit is over)

flirty Thanks for your concern I know exactly what you mean about not liking anything restrictive around your middle, I am exactly the same. I now have a pair of maternity jeans and they are sooooo comfortable. Having elastic at the front is so much better than a normal waistband!

Hello to everyone I have missed! I hope you are all well.