Due August '09 part 2 - 'Bring on the bumps- we're not fat we're pregnant!'

[HeinzSight]

Thought I'd better get our shiny new thread up and running. New title courtesy of BumpBLump

part 3 thread title is bagsy(ed) by kitkatqueen, 'Its the second trimester!! - Does my bump look big in this???'

here's a link to our old thread.

I am a bit paranoid about my bump...am worried its too small so feeling much better now thanks to this discussion.
When people hear Im 5 months, the reaction I usually get is 'you're so small'
I am just starting to get a bump I can't hide, but only just. Most of the time, i just look a bit 'fat' in the middle area!
I guess it doesnt help when DP says 'Is your bump getting smaller?' Well I hope not!!

Hi BumpVLump (love your name btw). I'm with you there, I had the 'isn't your bump small' problem in my last 2 pregnancies and found it really annoying! Plus never got offered a seat on the tube despite thrusting my bump in the faces of as many people as possible.

Hi all, takes so long to catch up.

I find it interesting that people are such individuals - Haribosmummy and Olivo have had CS and actually want one this time! I had a cs last time and cannot go through that again, and will not if I have anything to do with it! I have even taken on an IM to help me VBAC at home! An ob-managed birth scares the c**p out of me and will not trust any consultant with ?my best interests? at all! To whom is a child most precious? Its parents and mother especially, who has carried and felt it move inside her. Consultants may say they are concerned about the well-being of mother and baby, but IMO I think they are more worried about litigation, NHS targets and keeping their (well paid) job! Like I said, just my opinion!

And bump sizes seem to be the first step in comparing our babies! We all do it - how big baby was when born, how are they feeding, when did they wean, when did the walk and talk ... it's hard not to get drawn into it! I have a nearly 3 year old not slightly interested in potty training! I get comments all the time but want to retort with how good he is at ...

Boy, am I in a cynical mood tonight? Sorry ladies!

I am huge ,although it is my third, however was huge with the others aswell. I get really fed up with people remarking on how big I am though.

Welcome Becksydee, glad to have another first-timer at the end of the month!

Have consumed three family size boxes of macaroni and cheese in two days (with some help from DH). But to be fair, that's all that would stay down. Everything else has ended up in the toilet/outside DH's office/on the side of the road. Who'd have thought a bagel could cause so much havoc? It was like the Exorcist today, had to have a shower to get it out of my hair. (But did NOT wee myself this time---applause please!)

As for bumps, I have a huge pudge of abdominal fat anyway, so can't imagine I'll see a change any time soon. So far still minus 4 pounds and in the same clothes as before. However, I can feel something underneath the pudge has changed---feels a little bit firmer when pressed, and DH can feel it's different as well.

I really thought I felt some movement yesterday, just the slightest flutter. Maybe just wishful thinking?

LFS- I think it depends on why you want a CS . I would never want to repeat what I went through with DD1. That is why I had an elective with Dd2 and was so glad because if I had gone for a VBAC I would have ended up with another emergency CS.I will be having an elective with this one, for me its safer. I hate hospitals, and will want to leave as soon as possible, but for me its worth it to have a safe delivery.

Ohh... I loved my CS. It was elective and was perfect.

I stayed in hospital from Saturday until Wednesday - was Private so no worries there, had private room etc.

TBH, I do have lots more concerns this time - I have DS to worry about (who will only be 15 months old) so won't have the ability to relax the way I did with him, but I had a doula last time and she really helped me reach the right decision plus, having a VBAC (for me, esp, so soon after the CS) is just too risky. I will go back to the same consultant though. I suppose that feels like one less thing to worry about.

Sarah - Such a lovely feeling when you feel the baby move... I'm really looking forward to that, but haven't felt it yet.

Re: bump size - this time I don't think I'm showing that much. How much I show depends on what I wear. Some tops you can't tell I'm pregnant in whereas others definitely show a bump. Last time (1st pregnancy) I started showing at 6 weeks . Everyone was asking me if I was pregnant and I eventually caved in and admitted it at 8 weeks even though I was planning on waiting til after the 12 week scan.

I'm feeling an odd movement here and there but nothing major yet. I know last time i first felt it the day before my 20 week scan. I'll be 19 weeks tomorrow so I guess that's about right as they say you usually feel it a little earlier with a 2nd (mainly cos you recognise what it is)

Haribosmummy why is VBAC too risky for you and have you seen the VBAC group on yahoo at all? Private hospital was probably great, but with the NHS I was abandoned and neglected and felt totally abused and betrayed by the hospital before, during and after DS' forced extraction. I will not be left alone for hours on end while my baby is lying in his own vomit and dirty nappy crying for comfort as I can't move from the operation and no help is forthcoming. I was getting up to him after 12 hours after the cs because no-one else was there!

The cs was emergency and unnecessary and totally caused by consultant?s well meaning ?advice?. I will be avoiding experts in extraction (unless I need to go to the dentist) and trust the experts in birth ? the midwives!!!

Hey-ho, each to their own! I am not trying to push my agenda and opinions on others at all and I know we are all individuals with our own needs and desires and I do hope you get the births you want.

Littlefairysmile - that sounds horrid... Yes, I can see why your views are totally different to mine. I wanted a CS, and it was a lovely calm experience, with DH at my side and my doula (who was a total star) taking care of my DSDs!!

I don't wish to consider a VBAC because of a problem with my pelvic floor (which is why CS was chosen last time) and the length between births (DS will only be 15 months old). I was also up and about (though a little gingerly!) 12 hours after the CS, but again, totally my decision... I wanted to be the person to give my son his first 'bath'.

If you don't mind me being nosey asking, which hospital did you go to before? Was your LO OK in the end?

Swindon, Great Western, and there was never anything wrong with either me or DS. It was 'suspected' IUGR, failed (pointless) induction with caused placental abruption and then emcs. He was fine (doped up from the epidural of course) but we even managed to get breastfeeding like I wanted, but the emotional effect it had on me was profound! They denied me important information (which I take as effectively lied to me) and decisions I made were thus ill-informed. I know so much more now, and if you ever feel like an informative read, try anything by Sheila Kitzinger. I?ve just finished ?Birth Your Way?. And BTW, length of time between babies actually doesn?t have a bearing on how well the scar holds up at all, so 15 months or 9 months, you could still VBAC. But the pelvic floor issue is something else anyway. I understand that!

I wouldn?t want to have to heal after cs and have to look after my DS. You?re not supposed to lift anything heavier than your baby. A toddler is a bit heavier! There are just so many more potential complications to cs than VBAC (which they never tell you!!) and I?d rather go through the emergency again and know I gave my baby, and myself, that chance.

LFS, that sounds awful.I didnt get much help post cs at hospital. I discovered a way in which I could lift DD out of the cot beside my bed without having to move.
Recovery form an elective section is alot easier and faster. I had to look after my 18 month old aswell as a new born and tbh I was able to do more and more every day. DH took two weeks off work which he would have done with a VB.
A good friend of mine had a terrible VBAC experience.Her baby was large 11pounds, none of the MWs warned her about the size which I find odd and she was torn quite severly. She was in excruciating pain for a long time after that and months later she still gets some pain.She was quite traumatized by the birth.
I think it makes such a difference if you are looked after by staff who are supportive and listen to your needs. I have been lucky in that I have had this experience.

Well, I'm afraid it really is a case of 'each to their own'!! NOthing on earth would make me consider a VBAC. The idea terrifies me (as does a home birth). I know that childbirth doesn't come with any guarantees, but if I come close to having the birth experience I had with DS, I will be extremely, extremely happy.

I trust my consultant absolutely... In fact, I didn't even make a birth plan with DS, I just said to the consultant: I trust you will do what is right for me / my son. I appreciate I was extremely lucky to be in a position to feel that.

Anyway, best get on. The dog isn't going to go walking on his own!!!

Hope you all have Happy Tuesdays!!

Sarah: How are you feeling today? How is the back pain?

Hi all x
Saw the midwife yesterday and got to hear two healthy heartbeats still feeling rather unpregnant though lol

Haribosmummy I am the terrified of a cs (and is very likely with twins to have one) but reading your experience makes me feel a little better about it, its definatley each to their own and I hope you get such a good experience this time x

My opinion on different kinds of births is that as long as the womman is fully informed of the risks, and capable of making a decision, we all should be entitled to choose the birth experience that's best for us.

Re bump size - I have no waist, but you can't really see a bump as such. The leftovers from DD have moved upwards so I do look fatter than before!

Hope everyone's ok today. I'm feeling brighter mentally and less nauseous, but worried about my back. While my pelvis is still holding up, was pottering around for 40 minutes in Ikea yesterday and got pins and needles in both feet. I think the joints in my back are very mobile at the moment, so it's 50:50 whether they are ok or not... including when I see the physio. I feel fine now, just have to take it easy I suppose!

Morning all. I'm struggling to keep up with the thread but from what I can gather some are feeling better, some still sick, some showing, some not! Seems the usual thing of everyone's pregnancy being different!!!

Anyway - for what it's worth, I am also terrified of having to have a cs but I would hope that having had my other 2 "naturally" that this one will just fly out when I sneeze ! Am not really "showing" either although I'm definiately fatter.

Had my scan yesterday. All fine although the baby was in an awkward position so I need to go back next Wed for a quick double check of the heart. At 19+6 we were slightly early as the sonographer can see more once baby gets to around 21-22 weeks. Anyway we asked the sex (nervously!) and... it's a girl!!! . After 2 boys I could not be happier. The sonographer will check again next time so fingers crossed we don't get told its a boy!! So far I've told my best RL friend, my mum and you lot. Not sure I want it to be "common knowledge"

Happy Tuesday to all - must get back to work, have soooo much to do, sigh.

RF2A3- it must have been lovely to hear the heartbeats

An elective is much better than emergency.So dont worry if that is the decision.A good friend gave had a VB with her twins but really regretted afterwards that she just didnt have a section. She was adamanant that she was going to do it naturally but actually in reality she put herself and her son who was born an hour after her daughter in alot of risk.

OonaghBhuna Was lovely hearing them
I would definately prefer an elective as I like the idea of being relaxed and well informed.

I think alot of my worries are about mobility afterwards and also about the epidural rather than the actual section.

2HCBA1ITO So glad your scan went well and how exciting knowing the sex (cant wait for that bit lol) and the upside of uncooperative baby is another chance to see them

2HCB - congrats on the girl and lucky you having an extra look at baby

Off to a choices in childbirth evening again tonight. There's an acupuncturist doing a talk - not sure it's my sort of thing...don't fancy all those needle things in me!

All the talk of birth choices on here makes it so obvious how much your treatment by the midwives/consultants affects your subsequent choices. I agree with Hawkmoth that as long as women are FULLY informed then it should be totally their choice.

Yay! Genders and heartbeats! So exciting!

Not sleeping too well due to pelvic pain. Normally I am on my stomach, one leg stretched straight, the other with knee bent up as high and to the side as it will go. In just the last few days that has become painful and I just can't get comfortable!

Am starting to be more certain that I'm feeling baby movements. There is this fluttering feeling, just for a few seconds, only noticeable when sitting very still.

16 weeks today, one of the pregnancy websites said baby is the size of an avocado. This is the first time they've compared the baby to something I actually have in the house! Now supressing the urge to carry said avocado around the house with me.

Seem to have gained 2.5 pounds back this week, still 1.5 shy of what I was at 12 weeks though. Must be all the crap American mac n'cheese.

Today's food obsession: Devilled eggs. Have done the boiling, just waiting for them to cool. Is it unreasonable to eat six eggs in one sitting?

Someone once told me that eating six eggs in on go was an old SAS trick so that they were 'stopped up' for a few days...

I'm eating a WHAM bar, which is entirely unreasonable, especially as I had five ginger biscuits with cheese for dinner!

Oh dear! Wish I'd read that about the eggs before I ate them all!

Told DH about the avocado--he cheerily said 'if it makes you happy, carry it around!' Bless him, he's really getting used to my insanity.

Oooh, I love WHAM bars. I didn't know they were still around!!!

Hey everyone!

Sarah - I think you should eat whatever you can! With regards to your back adn sleeping - can you get hold of a pillow called a Snoogle? Its the stupidest name ever but it has saved my life and is amazing to sleep with. Its kind've shaped like a "C" with a curl at the top so it wrapsround your head and then between your knees. AMAZING! See here: leachco.stores.yahoo.net/snoogle.html

2HCB - congrats on the girl!

Re: Cravings and Bumps - my only cravings have been for cucumber, avocado and caesar salad?!?!? Apparently I am giving birth to a health freak! And I DEF have a bump now - but its not a cute bump its like a rounded mid-section from under my boobs to my hips. Am very at those of you not showing yet - I think I'm going to be the size of a house.

I'm feeling very sorry for myself right now - I have a horrid sinus cold and its keeping me awake and DH is away and not back for another 10 days I'm feeling very pathetic!

So I think I felt the baby move last night but I'm not sure. It kinda felt like someone flicking me with their finders from the inside?!?! What should it feel like?

Sorry. I haven't managed to catch up yet...
I just wanted to share today how I just can't seem to manage to do any work today. I am just staring all day at the pics of my little boy from the scan and feel so emotional.I haven't felt like this before. I suppose the pics make it real. At the beginning of the pregnancy I couldn't really believe it.