Due in September 2009: we are now officially blooming!

[StealthPolarBear]

Even if it doesn't seem like it most of the time

I had a terrible headache last night and this morning due to thunder storm last night.
Mummyhill - hope you shift that chest infection soon.

Met dh for lunch today whilst my mum had ds. It was bliss. Food was lovely and I even allowed myself a small glass of sparkling red

TPT this morning was 8
TPT this evening is 8 I don't get it. It looks much bigger this evening + it seems to have shrunk since the last TPT I did. I need a puzzled emoticon. Anyway, not worried cos I am feeling lots of movements and I listened to the hb on my doppler yesterday.

I would love to work for myself- but I'm in healthcare and its not really possible! I have thought about running a business or something but I have no idea about that type of thing at all, so I know it would be a disaster. I'm going back to university when this little one is older to train as a midwife, but thats a long way off yet.

I think I feel the need for a job because I know I can't get one for at least a couple of years and I feel a bit stuck iyswim. Part of the problem is my lack of mummy friends Audrey, I only have a few! One of the reason I joined mumsnet was to have some other mums to talk too.

Daffodilli its not crazy for a first timer to want a homebirth, its a good thing! If you can't cope then you can head into hospital- its not like a failing or anything. Just be opened minded that plans do change and you will be fine.

Forgot to mention I started getting movements recently. Started straight off with kicks and jumps this time! Also seems to be fond of summersaulting a lot at random moments. I have been jumping and 'oohing' every now and then- have had some funny looks.

Hi girlies, sorry to hear some of you are still sick!
My MS is alot better now, only sick in the morning occasionaly if I'm really tired, still feel nauseous tho!!

Little cheese - I have sciatica but then I did before I was pregnant too so can't really compare I guess!!

LilyPeach - when I was pg withh dd I went through a stage of having excruciating (although, obviously not as bad as spd) pains in my hips - especially when laying down in bed, it sorted itself out after a while, midwife said it wasn't spd, just the bones moving slightly to make room for baby (I don't really have any "hips" as such so I figured this was just my body adapting!) I haven't had the pains again this time around!?

Stretch- my scan is on 8th May too! You gonna find out??? (sorry can't remember if you siad you were or not!)

Happy belated Birthday April

daffodilli - I'm south Wales too, but I love thunder storms, however I'm sure my 15month old dd will not appreciate it if it wakes her up later! Neither will I!!!!!

TPT - just under 8 in the morning then 8 1/2 in evening, I thought the difference would be more tho - it certainly looks like it!
I'm still 3lb under my pre-pregnany weight due to losing aroung a stone with MS - I'm happy as a pig in shite about that tho cos I've never lost my previous baby weight

Ooooo, another old wives tale proving to have some substance to it is the: salty cravings for boys and sweet cravings for girls, something about the amniotic fluid being alkaline or acidic for male or female! Certainly true for my dd - could eat chocolate like a crazy person (and I wasn't like that before - always been a savoury snacker iykwim), this time; salty stuff, even gone off the chocolate a bit tbh!!!
Any of you that already know the baby's sex had these experiences to see how acurate this is?????

FS - that would tally with dd and ds. With dd I ate sugary stuff like there was no tomorrow. With ds I was particularly partial to spinach and pinenuts and pesto. Guess which one I put 4 stone on with

This time - not so marked. Eating sweet and savoury. Though my addiction to haribo and starburst might indicate a girl. Will prob wait until September to find out though.....

pooka - me too with the pesto thing! Keep making myself vine tomato, buffalo mozerella and basil salads with olive oil and pesto - lush!!
I ate 4 chocolate bars a day with dd - I too put on just shy of 4 stone!!!
Probly wiating till sept to find out too - thats why I love the old wives stuff!!!

That home birth study is great. In my notes under 'Intended place of birth' it says 'will decide in labour'. I'm a first timer too, but my midwife is really supportive of homebirths, so I can see how I feel on the day.

Have been eating oodles of chocolate and mini magnums, but also ate an entire box of ritz crackers in two days this week

20 weeks today YAY. Starting to count down the time until it would be a viable prem birth. (anything to pass the time)

I've lost 6kg due to no appetite until 16ish wks then restricted diet. Have been told by the dietician to start putting on weight now. Don't think I've lost anymore. Only put on 25lbs with DS that was all baby weight so actually weighed less after he was born than I started at.

Am a SAHM which has been fab over summer. We spend several afternoons at the beach or playground during the week. Been great to get out in the fresh air when I don't feel good, I wouldn't do it if not for DS. Not looking forward to winter, especially as one of my friends has just gone back to work after her 2nd. DS goes to preschool 2 mornings a week and I'll see about making that 3 nearer Sept.

I only really crave savory things but that might have more to do with being on the diet rather than the baby's gender.

I don't get the chance to get on here during the day (apart from being busy, I have a team of 20 odd people and have to remind a few of them that we don't get paid to surf the net every now and then, so can't really do it myself...), so am always surprised at how much happens in such a short time!

It's the savoury / sweet thing that's making me think I'm having a boy. Never thought I'd stop enjoying chocolate, but now can only go for dark mint stuff. Very difficult to go a day without crisps . Although, I'm probably just grabbing for "proof" that supports my gut feel about this being a boy.

I have no desire whatsoever for a home birth - I'm a natural born worrier, for a start. My local hospital has a minimal intervention midwife run unit, where they seem to pride themselves on providing support with breast-feeding, bathing, nappy changing, etc. As someone who has never changed a nappy (really! and nor has DP!!) and with no family nearby, that really appeals. And they allow you to come back there even if you have to be transferred to the main consultant hospital in the city centre if you need additional intervention for the birth. The other thing about home births is the idea of cleaning up after ward (sorry if that sounds flippant). Good luck to those of you with that intention.

Right, must go and do the TPT thing!!!

Results in from the TPT jury: Seven sheets exactly at 17 + 1. Wish I'd started measuring earlier. I've gained about 3 kg between booking in at 8 weeks (which obviously included post-Christmas fat) and my appointment last week, which I don't think is too bad given the given the amount of crisps that have been consumed...

Ah but minshu - the midwives clean up before they go

I just want to get into my own bed straightaway, co-sleep and have copious amounts of nice tea and nice food brought to me at my demand. Have to say, I did rather have the best of both worlds with ds - laboured at home, actually delivered in hospital, and then left within 2 hours, as soon as had had a shower and stitches. I remember being so excited getting into my own comfy bed with ds next to me. Was bliss!

i also have no desire for a home birth, I have to say I dont think i could ever get comfortable in the lounge again knowing I had given birth there. I also have a phobia of mess. I had DD in the local midwife led unit then had a private room so me DH and DD squeezed into a single bed slept for two hours or so then got to go home, I loved it and hope for similar this time

No home birth for me either. Not for the first one.
My hospital also has a midwife led unit with two birth pools and dimmed lights and the lot. That's homely enough for me and yet there's the hospital next door and a special care unit too. Would love a private room though if one is available. I had to sign at the booking in that I understand that I stay 24 hours only after the birth (unless c-section), and may go home sooner of course.

I made my first baby purchase yesterday: a bright orange re-usable nappy! I'm determined to give them a go and there are so many different ones available that I thought I'll start familiarising myself. Anyone got any recommendations?

Ladylush - hope your head feels beter. I haven't come across many people with a barometer in their head like mine. My head had cleared but is starting to get fuzzy again and have just looked on my weather bug at the bottom of my screen and the forecast is for more thunder this afternoon!

Thusnelda I have mainly tots bots for day time and minki huggles for night time use as well as plenty of good old fashioned terry squares. I also have ellas house and hemp presto nappies. I may have to replace a couple as they are 7 years old and have seen both of my monsters through from birth to potty! I usually keep a few disposables in just in case or for when we go out for a whole day as they can be more convenient when out and about.

Hi all
Had lovely Easter DP home from Germany for 4 days! I finally said that I couldn't do this on my own as it was twins so he's made a CV and contacted a recruitment agency over here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a bit of luck on that front. I can't bear it when he leaves.Have started feeling little movements now- (18 weeks today)so only 6 weeks till viable if I go into early labour (hope not though). It's funny having tandem movements. My TPT is 8 but I'm sure I look bigger- even my arms have got huge! I feel quite well just really worried about having twins still. Chinese predictors said boy and then girl so I am happy with that one.I have chosen Oskar and Heidi but my DP says Heidi is a bit naff in Germany so I may go for Miranda or Annalise instead.

Neddie, is your Partner actually German or just working in Germany? Good luck for getting him over here though, I totally understand that you need him around! And yes, Heidi is a bit naff, or at least rings of alps and goats and cow-bells. I like Oskar and Annelise, my own favourites are still Conrad and Annika, though my boyfriend says that Annika will make people think of big tracksuit bottoms jumping out of helicopters. But I'm not sure that that would deter me: my name is Ulrike and I can very well cope with the odd shout of -ka ka ka, though it did puzzle me at first.

Mummyhill, thanks, that sounds doable then! I'm glad I'm not the only mad deluded eco-warrior here.

tpt still 8 and three quarters...yet I feel much more like a heffa this week.

Nice to hear you DP is making moves to stay with you Neddie.

My friend is about to give birth any day now (she had her show last week) and she's off to St Thomas's, which sounds delightful: birth pools with views of Big Ben and all sorts. If I could have gone for that I might not be thinking so much about a home birth, but I've seen the post-natal ward at Kings and want to avoid it if I can. I could have chosen St Thomas's but then I'd have to give up my named midwife and antenatal care at home. It's about making the best of what's available to you I think, and what's best for you.

Odd to see my friend really focused on labour and the baby when I'm mostly thinking about maternity cothes...

mummyhill - I had to take another paracetamol last night and again this morning. Not too happy with having to take paracetamol but I am only taking one at a time. I tried the 4head thing but it didn't work and if I don't take anything it gets worse. I never got headaches with ds.

Minshu - ah, I see. You mean reading my posts makes you more convinced that you are having a boy. Sorry I thought you meant that you were convinced I'm having one. I don't actually know what I'm having. The salt/sugar thing could have some substance to it if this one is a girl. I craved salty things with ds yet this time I enjoy chocolate.

No homebirth for me. Would've liked one with ds but it was a complicated birth and he was big, so I'd rather be in hospital in case they struggle getting it out again. But the thought of lying in your own bed after the birth with your new baby and your partner is just lovely.

Liz - I bought 3 types of ice lollies yesterday Delmonte Pineapple and Orange and some smoothie lollies. Ds and I indulged last night

I've updated our stats thread - please check and edit!

Liz I had ds at St. Thomas's. Unfortunately I was in the medical wing as I was induced. That's the gamble you take. The post-natal ward was probably every bit as bad as the one at Kings.

I'm mad and deluded right there with you Thusnelda. Might have to get a man to come and investigate the strange noise the washing machine makes mind you... I really like your real name.

am going to have to go and get lollies today ladylush. See what you're saying about the gamble - no guarantees you get what you want and I'm fairly sanguine about being beetled the five minutes to the hospital if it comes to it.

Oh and does anyone have any ideas for a holiday at 25 weeks? Me and dh are going round in circles. I want warm and relaxing, with swimming and reading.

Same choice here Liz, went for Kings so I could see the same midwife throughout.

Ds is in pocket nappies, mostly bum genius and wee notions sized nappies, plus a few other types. At night we have a few nappies, bamboozle, motherease, ellas house bumhugger etc and he wears wool pants over the top. He couldn't fit into pocket nappies till he was around 13/14lbs though and I found all the 'small' sizes we have were far too big went he was born. He was 7lb 6 so not tiny but tots bots just swallowed him! I found that a tiny bambeasy and xs motherease rikki wrap worked best. I'm going to stick to terries and prefolds with xs wraps this time as they can go through around 10 nappies a day at first and buying 12-15 shaped newborn nappies will be expensive. When he/she hits 13lb mark they will move up into ds' pockets and shaped nappies at night. I don't have high hopes for ds being potty trained before September so they may have to share for a bit, in which case I will prob invest in a couple more pockets to tide us through.

Wow what an essay sorry

Last time my cravings were for avocado, asparagus and milky ways! Not all at once mind. I also got a taste for milk chocolate which I haven't had before. This time is similar, I recently put in an order at aquarterof as I just want sweeties, but have been eating loads of salty popcorn and salad type stuff too.

Morning ladies. Have read through as much as possible - all have been busy!
Happy belated birthday April.
Is the heartbeat sounding like trains a girl or a boy? I've definately got a train!

moring everyone - lots of posts since yesterday!

Had my 20 week scan last night and everything looks great. I have posted some pics from the scan.

Had some bad news overnight from NZ (where I am from) and need to fly home because my Grandfather is very ill . I am completely daunted by the 26 hour flight in economy but no way we could afford business at the moment. My doctor says it is fine to fly but that I just need to walk arounda lot and wer those stocking things.

Why is good news always followed with bad??

Oh dear, sorry to hear that BabyLady.
Try to make the most of going home though, I'm sure there are lots of people who would love to see your bump!
I always feel that Britain-Germany is such an easy distance compared with you lot! I certainly don't envy you that long flight. It takes me about 10 hours to get home - by train. Or about 5 if I fly. And it's cheaper of course.

Bigbang, thanks for the nappy essay! I did think those "birth to potty" nappies look far too huge for a new born even when they're folded down. It does sound like it's a bit of a science - still very worth while I'm sure.

LizLemon, thanks . I do always have to point out Ulrike with an e in the end unlike Ulrika Johnson. On the other hand at least people are kind of familiar with the name here - in America I was either called Eureka or Erika (or Spike for some strange reason).