Due March 2009 - 3rd thread - Aches, cravings and... is that a bump I see?!

[auntyspan]

Brand new thread ladies!

Congrats on your scan, and your little girl, Grinningbee ! I know what you mean about relief/blubbing at scans - thankfully they must be used to it !

Emma - I'm not sure how accurate doctor's feeling is. How long ago was your scan ? What did they say abotu size then ? If they are concerned they'll keep an eye on it and send you for a scan. I'd mention it next time you see a midwife.

No homebirth here - I don't think there'd be much chance of being allowed one as had emergency c-sec previously. Although I can see the benefits I think I'd rather be in hospital. Would like to use a birth pool though in hospital but suspect I'd have to fight a lot for that. I want to fight for not being continuously monitored at any rate, if things are still going ok by then, but not sure how much fighting I have in me !!

Am fairly certain this will be our last too. I always wanted more but I don't think I could go through the stress of m/c, inability to conceive again. I feel we put our lives on hold to a certain extent in the 2 years it took to conceive this one and I just want to feel grateful for what we'll hopefully have. Also, DH will be on longterm medication that would mean we wouldn't be able to conceive anyway so depending on how long that will be we wouldn't be able to anyway.

Other than that, nothing to report - still aching, occasionly being sick, tired, spotty, grumpy... ah the glamours of pregnancy .

Been away for a week in the US, attending DP's eldest daughter's wedding -- I got all sorts of perverse pleasure in watching people try to process the concept of "the father of the bride is having another baby??"

It's exciting to read about people's scans, and I'm rather excited to report on ours, which we just had this morning (22+1)!

It's a....

BOY!

Eeeeeeeeeek!

Thank god I don't have to get used to saying "she," as Cletus the Fetus has been a "he" from the outset. Now we just have to find a name...

And also because this is my "talk me down from the cliff" forum I wonder if anyone has had any experience with being told that there are a couple of soft markers for Down Syndrome showing up on this scan that will need to be gone by the next scan (in 3-4 weeks)? I'm trying not to let that throw me into a tizzy, but the technician said there were a few small "black spots" in the brain and a slight kidney dilation that my OB will have to check on at our next appt. He said not to worry, as most Down babies would also have a significant heart defect showing up by now, and Cletus' heart is perfectly normal -- but being who I am, I can't help freaking out. Really, REALLY trying not to, but still...any words o' wisdom?

Just thought I would update the list as all seems quiet today!

7 BOYS
12 GIRLS
14 SURPRISES

25th Feb Twocutedarlings - BOY 2DDs Aged 5&3
28th Feb Slickbird - BOY 2DDs (7yrs and nrly 1yr) [Nr.Edinburgh. Age: 35]
1st Nomorenappies DD1 3.2 years [York Age: 29]
2nd Ceedub
2nd winemakesmummyclever DS 2
2nd Spottycat DC1
2nd Lolianja DC1 SURPRISE [Essex. Age: 20]
3rd Sorchamc DD1 4.5 years
3rd MissModular DD1 21 months
4th pinktree
4th goldmother2B ? GIRL no DCs [Lancashire. Age:32]
4th Fififlores - GIRL DS1 25 months [Spain Age: 39]
4th sadiemcgradie DD1 [Age: 44]
6th Playingthe9monthwait DC1 [Hampshire, UK. Age: 26]
7th Emma2617 ? BOY DC1 [Manchester. Age: 22]
7th babyinbelly ? SURPRISE DS1 age 2 [oxfordshire. Age 22]
7th dinny ? SURPRISE DD 6yrs, DS 3yrs [Age:35]
7th auntyspan - GIRL DD1 2.5 [Cheshire, Age 34]
8th laurenypops DD1 23 mths [Age: almost 30!]
8th dorothywhipple DD 3 [UK. Age: 33]
8th MKG ? GIRL 2DS [USA. Age:29]
8th Jollyjoanne - GIRL [Cheshire, Age: 29]
9th Beetle73 DD1 almost 4 [London. Age: 35]
9th SunshineSmith 1DC
9th babyalfie 2 DC [Age: 38]
9th Elsy DD1 18months
9th Lizziemun SURPRISE DD1 4.6yrs and DD2 11mths [Age: 38]
11th firstduemarch09 DC1 [Age:29]
11th Ellora DC1 [Age: 30]
11th AmyO - SURPRISE [Age: 28]
12th HopingCat - SURPRISE DD1 20months [Age: 29]
12th Thefearlessfreak DS1 20mths [Age: 38]
13th Wheelybug ? SURPRISE DD1 3.7 [Age: 33]
14th Kat80 - BOY DD1 9; DS1 7; DD2 6
15th CaptainKarvol - SURPRISE DS 2.7yrs [age 37]
15th Littlemisskiwi - SURPRISE [Age 31. New Zealand]
16th Millie26 ? GIRL [Age: 27, York]
16th Sara333 DS 6; DD 4 [Age: 35]
17th FlannelCat - GIRL 1DD 5.5yrs
17th Gyo DC1 [Surrey]
18th SHABOOBLY DD1 2.5
18th EllieorOllie - BOY DD almost 2
19th Boobz DC1 [Streatham, London. Age: 29]
19th Anathemadevice DC1 [Surrey. Age:27]
19th laweaselmys - GIRL [Suffolk. Age: 21]
20th Tapster - BOY DD1 20 months [Age: late 30's]
20th ally90 GIRL DD 2.6
20th Squiffy Hock DS 4yrs DD 2yrs [Kent, Age: 33]
20th Yarnie DC1
21st Livismum - GIRL DD 3
21st Anna22
21st titchy77 ? SURPRISE DS 10yrs; DD 18 months
22nd Mandy73 - SURPRISE DC1 [Oxfordshire. Age: 35 soon]
22nd MavisGrind DS 2.1 yrs
22nd Lilymolly DD 2.7months [Durham. Age: 32]
22nd Fruity - BOY DS 3yrs [SW London. Age:29]
23rd Hermione 2DS (7 and 3).
23rd Starshinetiger DS 24 Months [Berkshire. Age: 34]
23rd SpookyMadMummy 2DDs 6&4 [S.Yorks]
23rd Mrs EJO
23rd Wheremybump - SURPRISE [Age:24]
24th Becko [Age: 33]
24th Pipsy76 DS 2.5 years
24th corgikelly DC1 [Brussels. Age: 38]
25th TheHedgeWitch - GIRL DS 2yrs [Aged 27. Shropshire]
25th summerbaby07 1DC
25th CS7 1st DC [Age: 25]
26th Chiplet
26th SlightlyDoolally
28th rubyring 2DDs 3 yrs & 12mths
28th lollipopz ? SURPRISE DD6, DD4 and DS 19mnth
28th meep - SURPRISE 1dd 13mo
29th tantiK DS1 31mths [Rome]
29th broodymom 2DD aged 7 & 8
29th xJulesx DC1 [East London. Age: 36]
30th Grinningbee - GIRL DC1 (MMC Oct 07) [Age: 37]

hey all, soooo tired today i could fall asleep at my desk!
thought i'd log on to read the updates and try to keep myself awake

boobz i am looking into a home waterbirth too. Midwife was supportive at last appointment and have read loads of good things about both home- and water-births over the past few months. DH is a bit worried in case anything goes wrong (wouldn't we be better off at hospital with all the doctors and machines around?) and i am very aware that things rarely go to plan, so not holding my breath for one but thinking about getting myself a pool just in case!

i think i just like the idea of being at home and being able to do what you want.

anyone had a homebirth or know someone that has? be interested to read people's opinions!

Hey Amy - there's another thread in the childbirth section called First time home-birthers which I started a few months ago which has LOADS of stories and hints and what not. You should take a look. My friend down the road (who I met on MN) just had a homebirth with the midwife I am booked in with so am very excited indeed (it went swimmingly, if you excuse the pun). Her story is on the birth announcements thread (Girlwiththemouseyhair).

If anyone updates the list again, I am having a surprise. I think I will muck up the bolding if I do it, and having nothing next to my name is the same as surprise anyway, no? Silly things to ponder on a Tuesday afternoon.

A

Hello all.

I had my 24 week check up today. How exciting. Heartbeat is good, urine is good, blood pressure is good. I've only gained 4 pounds so far [thank God emoticon].

I'm excited for next month when I have my gestational diabetes test, and my anti D shot. Because it really means that I'm on the home stretch. After that it's just strep B and that's it. I like counting down by lab tests.

I'm not having a homebirth, but a friend of mine just had one. She had a 27 hour labor and had a birth pool all set, but by the time she was ready to use it the water was freezing and the ended up giving birth on her living room floor.

I wish I could have a homebirth, but can't afford a homebirth midwife, and have seriously considered going unassissted, but I know that is just not a smart idea.

Hi Girls,

Im planning a homebirth, my MW is very supportive, and has actually adviced me that this would be the best option for me .

DD2 was a unplanned homebirth and was almost delivered by my DH but thankfully the paramedics arrive just in time. So im not totally new to the experiance but as you can imagine it was all abit hands on deck with DD2.

I have to say that after having a really bad hospital delivery with DD1 and a very straight forwards delivery with DD2 the choice has been made easier for me (oh and the fact that the ambulance station is literally a 2 minute drive away and the maternity unit is only a 10 min drive), even though it was unplanned with DD2 i felt so much more in control and well it just felt so right IYSWIM.

Just a quick one to say I am boosting the boy numbers by one!

We had our "20 week" scan yesterday at 22+4 (can anyone else beat that for lateness - I feel like I've been waiting for ever?!).

Everything looks great for both me and the little guy .

Conratulations Yarnie and you beat me in lateness by a week.

It's amazing to think that the next time we see our little wrigglers it'll be in person!

I'm still in shock from Monday that everything is ok, and I still keep calling poor bean it rather than she lol.

I've seriously got the munchies today...

I am sleeping better now (pillow between legs at al) but back pain is still making everything a bit of a struggle, now I am sleeping better it is a lot easier to just get on with things though.

We've decided to go for the ex-pub and convert it into two houses. One is a (relatively) easy job so will be moving house soonish and it will be set up ready to live in by the time this DD arrives. But will be living with builders next door!!! I still keep having to check myself and reassure myself that I'm not utterly mental doing this. But bizarrely, it makes the most sense especially in the long-term and financially/emotionally - especially as we are not doing this alone. Will let you know if we get it and when I am moving into a building site!

Glad to hear a few nice positive messages and scans are still going well for people. But now I'm going to bring things down a bit, becos I am miserable and poorly. Thought I'd managed to fight this cold thing off - but it has come back for round two with avengance. And I feel horribly achy, sniffly and have the most dreadful cough which is making it ridiculously hard to sleep. I almost hard to sleep sat upright last night to keep the coughing at bay and the baby comfy. Fortunately I am being allowed to work from home (two days of day time TV was enough to have me begging for some work to do!). But now there is no-one to moan too, and that just leaves me feeling down so I am moaning to you lot instead in the hopes it may lift my spirits.

On the more positive side I saw the midwife yesterday the bump is doing fine - at least the insides seem to be doing their jobs OK. Phew.

Wow so much chat! Nice.

Happy to hear bumps are doing well although some of us mums are getting a bit whacked (hot chocolate, slippers & early nights, anyone?).

Just saw MW, bump is 'big & wriggly for its age, more like 25 weeks' - tell me about it! Wanted to cry with relief afterwards - the heartbeat gets me every time - just not taking anything for granted with this PG so any reassurance becomes so valuable.

xx

hey girls!

thanks boobz will have a read of that homebirth thread when the boss isn't looking!

MKG, can't the NHS provide a midwife for you if you'd like a homebirth? I guess it depends on how well staffed they are, but seems odd that you'd have to pay...

glad all the scans are going well!

has anyone watched the NCT's 'happy birth day' dvd (the one you get with their free mag)?
i watched it at home one eve (alone - not the best idea perhaps!). this may be a daft thing to say, but it looked SOOOOO PAINFUL! ...i mean i knew it would be but seeing the women go through it was quite traumatic (actually hearing it was the worst part, very different to looking at pictures in baby books!) .
told DH when he got in that he would have to do the giving birth part.
am hoping that seeing it 3rd person and experiencing it 1st hand are 2 very different things!

any gems of wisdom from those that have already been through it?!

glad scans and checkups going well - Corgi, No words of wisdom but sympathy - I know what its like waiting for the next scan to check how things are (dd had severe growth issues) and its terribly worrying. Try and focus on the fact the heart is normal and there are only a few soft markers which may be nothing (easier said than done I know).

AmyO - my only advice is not to watch any more videos . I can't really advise as I never got into established labour (although was induced for 36 hours) before having a c-sec. All in all it wasn't a pleasant experience - quite horrendous but the main thing is, I got dd at the end of it and although it sounds trite and cheesy, it really really is worth it and you do forget about it afterwards (especially if you have trouble conceiving number 2 so it takes a lot longer than expected so you can live in a rosy cloud of denial again.... ). When you're going through it you will deal with it and if not, there's always drugs .

Not much to report here - DH got our pram and car seat out of the shed today to check they hadn't been nibbled by the local wildlife. All looks fine so no spending for me on big items (damn !).

AmyO--I'm in the US, so no I'm not entitled to a homebirth midwife.

As far as the video, don't bother watching them. They give you a tainted perspective, but if you do watch one, buy the book "Gentle birth Choices" by Barbara Harper it comes with a dvd and the births are really positive.

I've had to really great births, and it is hard work (They don't call it labor because it's easy), but it is just the most thrilling time. Don't fear it, accept that it will happen and enjoy the process.

I'm so excited because I got my childbirth education certification in the mail, so I'm officially a childbirth educator.

Hey All,

Glad to hear about all the positive scans, and will keep fingers crossed for you Corgi - must be hard not to worry, but sure bambino will be fine. xx

AmyO MKG lives in the States so all different over there!

Regarding labour - never a good idea to watch BEFORE you've been through labour yourself or it will leave you with sweaty palms (it did for me anyway!!) but the only advice I can give having been through two very long ones (and I'll spare you the details!) is that firstly your body knows what it's doing, even if you don't - that's the amazing thing about it all and once the contractions start, you'll start to get the idea of it all quickly, then you can do what works for you. The second thing I would say that, yes it is sore, but more often than not, it can be the tiredness that gets to women more than anything (and before all those have been through it shout - 'what a load of rubbish!!!') what I mean by that is the more tired you are, the harder it can be to deal with the contractions if it has gone on for a long time, but one way or another you cope with whatever method helps. Mine have been long backache labours and I just wish second time round I had switched on the TENS machine HOURS earlier as it really helped. I'd put it off cos I was a bit fearful of what it would be like, but it really helped me and would use it again. Don't know what they are like if your baby is in a normal position tho? ANYWAY, I would say, bottom line (as it were) try not to worry, you'll get through it, it's a challenge but see when you get your baby at the end of it...OMG!

Still fighting sinus pain and snot here.....(sorry)

PS - It can also pretty boring on times, esp if it's a bit of a stop-starter. Last time my DH was rolling around on the birthing ball trying to 'sky dive' because he was so bored. I knew at that point I should have sent him to work that morning as it was going to be a long labour.....

Sorry - crossed post with MKG (Congrats on certificate tho!)

Hi girls,

Another surprise here- changed our minds at the last minute during the scan and we still have another 16 weeks wait!

My bump is gigantic... talked to my midwife today and she reassured me that wiht 2nd babies- our tummies don't hold the babies as tight as the first time round. She reassured me that bump size is normal!

Do any of you feel your bump is just huge for 24 weeks?

A super warm wave to you all!

xx

Me my bump is huge compared to the last two times.

I love the idea of being pregnant during Christmas again. My inlaws treat pregnant women like sacred vessels. They don't let me bend over for anything, don't expect me to help cook much, and tell me to take a nap (they do midnight X-mas eve meals instead of Christmas day). This is my third pregnant Christmas with them, and I can't wait. Plus they just keep feeding me all the time.

I was pregnant with dd at Christmas too - will be a tad larger with this little bean - but am hoping that the heartburn hasn't kicked in by 25th December so that I can at least enjoy my Christmas dinner !

Am very of your inlaws MKG!!

Agree with MKG and Slickbird - step away from the "labour" videos. You never know how it will be for you - our of my NCT group of 6 we all had such totally different births that no video could have covered us all!

I used to watch those Baby progammes and would sob whenever I saw/heard (yup the noises make it so much worse - but when I realised I was actually moo-ing like a cow it was one of the funnier moments of labour for me!!)a woman in labour I would sob uncontrollably - my dh had to ban me from watching!!

Just had an awful tummy bug - I really though I was in early labour - the pains were so bad that I had to stop 4 times between getting off my bus and getting into work. Needless to say I went home and slept for about 5 hours and felt a lot better. Saw my mw yesterday for a check and she said that when you're pregnant the pains seem much worse as your tummy is stuck behind the baby and everything else so the pain radiates round like a contraction. Gave me a hell of a fright !

But the bean sounds well - mw got the heartbeat instantly so I went away calm and happy!