Due April 2009 - Farewell nausea and all things ghastly, our boobs and bumps are growing vastly.

[PuzzleRocks]

I had thought of that, Bubbaluv, but it doesn't really work very well in French and with the 'u' in the middle it's hard to pronounce next to DH's surname...
Good suggestion, though.

Belated thought: the "u" is a French one, a bit like the "u" in Stuart, not an English "u" like in umbrella.
If that makes any sense.

Hello all - I've mopped myself into a corner with a cup of herbal tea and a tangerine. Hoping DD sleeps long enough for the floor to dry now.

Sending positive thoughts to B52s.

Now Franco/Scots names... hmmm

I suppose Louis / Lewis is also hard to pronounce with a 'U' surname too?

I like Bruce too, but it's another 'u' name.

Elliot, Fraser, Callum should all work in French. Lawrence (bit girly in French?).

Campbell - remember the film Buona Sera Mrs Campbell. She chose it because everybody knew and could pronounce the name of the soup! (OK she was Italian too, not French).

ooh I love a good name debate - although I'm not very good at suggestions - but I like to hear what other people suggest.

We chose ds's name from a road sign on a long drive up to my parents when I was 5 months pg. Hoping similar inspiration strikes this time, but hasnt so far - plenty of time though.

Sorry BabyBolat - less inspiration on Turkish names at the moment. I think Samir is often popular as it shortens easily to Sam.

www.babynology.com/turkish_babynames.html This looks like a good source of Turkish baby names?

Or here babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/turkish-names.html

Louis is lovely, but you are right, it doesn't go with the U name and nor does Bruce.

Elliot has become a bit of an 'in' French name, like Kévin, from the influence of some American series, I presume. So I'd rather avoid it.
Fraser and Callum do sort of work, but would be mispronounced, which was what we were trying to avoid. And Lawrence is indeed a girl's name here.
Campbell I'm not sure about.

conkertree, I'm dying to know what your DS is called now: is it a place name or a traffic sign??? : does anyone remember Max Headroom???

Alistair?

Tricky isn't it AuldAlliance. Our DD has a Spanish name which seems surprisingly difficult for the English ear to catch.

We have Julian on our boys list this time because it is pronounced in almost the same way in most European languages (although spellings differ).

How about Max, Leo, Theo or Lucas (too much 'u'?)

yes AuldAlliance - its NoThroughRoad do you think he'll get teased at school?

No its Struan - after the village in Perthshire. Guess its the same as Stuart though - the U wouldnt go with your name.

LOL Conkertree

ha ha conkertree think he will be fine, Struan is a lovely name tho

Thanks Bubbaluv - the problem is not the lack of names is that DH loves really traditional strong Turkish names (yuk) and I love really modern quirky names like Rafferty, Arlo, Eli etc (none of which are Turkish) whereas for girls I am a bit more traditional so we mesh more here!

I think Max and Theo are beautiful names

As an example DH likes the name Fahrti in Turkish but how could I send a child to school with a name like that - he would be called Farty pants the entire time!!!!

Oh dear BabyB - you have got your work cut out! It doesn't get much worse than a name like Fahrti at primary school. Small kids are so pee and poo obsessed they would have a field day.

I can't think of any Turkish men I know, only women and they have all had such pretty names. Maybe you will have a girl

I know - there are many others but in my opinion equally horrific!!!

I always wanted a boy but now I am really hoping we have a girl because I have fallen in love with the name we have chosen and lots of little frilly pants!

Just the thought!! Poor little mite!
Aydin and Aslan sound OK to me.

Here'a a REAL newbie question for all you old hands...

I'm new to pregnancy and have absolutely NO idea how the hospital bit works. We're booked in at Epsom Hospital next April - can anyone give us an "insiders view"?

What are the labour rooms like? How many mums & babes to a ward? Do they have a private section? How long do they usually keep you in for a "normal" vaginal birth? And a caesarian? Can DH stay the night? what are the rules on eating / drinking etc during labour? Do they have a birthing pool and/or birthing balls? Do you have to provide your own if they don't?

Please forgive the 20 questions... I'm starting to get a bit nervous, and our official Tour isn't till January...

Thanks!
XXX

hi kittycat - don't know about Epsom hospital specifically, but try not to worry. When you are in labour all your plans will go out of the window anyway. Try not to get too fixated on having a particular type of birth - e.g. I really wanted a waterbirth for DS, but got to the hospital and both pools were in use, so it was tough. Likewise with private rooms - I wanted one, but the hospital (the rosie in cambridge) prioritised mums with twins or that had had a particularly traumatic time, so I didn't get one. I wasn't told not to eat or drink during labour, but then it was all pretty quick so I didn't get the opportunity either IYSWIM. You will be fine ...

hi kittycat - don't know about Epsom hospital specifically, but try not to worry. When you are in labour all your plans will go out of the window anyway. Try not to get too fixated on having a particular type of birth - e.g. I really wanted a waterbirth for DS, but got to the hospital and both pools were in use, so it was tough. Likewise with private rooms - I wanted one, but the hospital (the rosie in cambridge) prioritised mums with twins or that had had a particularly traumatic time, so I didn't get one. I wasn't told not to eat or drink during labour, but then it was all pretty quick so I didn't get the opportunity either IYSWIM. You will be fine ...

oophs sorry don't know why that posted twice

Hi everyone,

Have not posted for ages!! You have all been so busy I can't even catch up. Have come back to work after 6 weeks sick leave and everyone can't believe how big I am. I have put on a stone and a half I have my scan in 10 days....can't wait!! Not felt any movement yet. For all those experienced ones at what stage can your partner feel the baby kicking??

I love reading all your posts

hello again. I love reading your posts as you all sound so excited which is good as it makes me feel more so too.

BB-Aydin seems a good option.

We have a girls name sorted but no boys. I'm assuming then its a girl as with our other three we had a name appropriate for the gender but not one for the other sex each time.
I think I would like another boy as its been a while since I've had one of that breed but at least a girl would solve the fact we will never agree on a boys name. DH BOBSKI IS NOT AN OPTION YOU HEAR?

I'm feeling more positive about the birth as well as I've decided I'm just going to tell them to sod off if they try and insist on something that isnt necessary. I'll also leave it as long as possible before I go in.

Will start thinking of Franco-Scots names

Alan or Blane would both work

Bobski - ha ha ha I like it!

KittyCat8 - I would recommend that you make the time to go to your hospital's antenatal classes as they will cover all of this - specifically relating to your hospital. You can also do private classes (eg. NCT) which usually have smaller groups and more opportunity to ask detailed questions about the process of giving birth.

Apparently you need some food in labour, but in practice most don't want to eat. I went out for a slap up lunch in early labour (contractions 10 mins apart and relatively mild at that stage so was easy to eat) and then took some snacks and lots of cartons of juice into hospital with me. Never touched the snacks but the juice cartons were handy as the gas and air can be very drying.