Due November 2009 - second trimester thread part 2

[skorpion]

Hope this works

Thanks to everyone explaining about the Strep B! I find it difficult to decide which advice to stick to (I'm Scandinavian, and the recommendations tend to be different over there) but I know I'll need to pick one country and ignore the other one pretty soon as it's only going to get worse when the baby comes!

Becky how strange, just as I switched the laptop on all the electrics went down in the kitchen - I was only running the washing machine, the dishwasher and the kettle, so that shouldn't really be too much for the system to handle without tripping.

Pavlov remember when we were little and the birthday girl/boy got to decide what games to play at the party? Well, I think the same goes for us "grown-ups" (I am on the dark side of 30 but certainly don't feel like a proper adult...) How about you get all excited about DH having planned a surprise for you, you kind of have a feeling he's taking you away for the day, and then voila! Switch your mobile off and spend the day doing whatever you want!

Tamlin I'd gained exactly 7kg last week too! (And didn't think I was doing tooooo bad until I read that the period of rapid weight gain is yet to come...) I'm kind of hoping some of that will have been water retention due to the tropical temperatures, but I suspect it may have just as much to do with the chocolate... I'm only allowed to eat fruit and veg for treats for the foreseeable future.

Oooh, confession: we ordered a pram/pushchair combo on the weekend. I know it's super duper early, but I couldn't resist any longer. It should arrive today or tomorrow and I'm SO excited. I also spent a whole entire day (when I should have been working) researching nappies. I plan to use disposables for the first few weeks (I'll eventually move on to real nappies of the birth to potty type, but you'd have to have a special newborn size to start with, and as they go through so many nappies at that age it seems more sensible from a selfish - not environmental - point of view to get through that period with disposables.)

Anyone else with a nappy-plan or am I getting ahead of myself here?

Broodzilla, which pram did you order? And which nappies do you have in mind?

I used disposables for the first few weeks with DS, and I still use them when we're out and about now. I just calculate that the mountain of nappies would be much, much vaster if we didn't use cloth (and by the time I reuse all those cloth nappies on this baby, I'll have saved a FORTUNE!) I use a couple of drops of tea tree oil in a sealed nappy bucket, and you can't smell a thing.

Broodzilla have bought size 1 pampers nappies packet last week only to receive the nappy bag boots club was offering (not too exciting or pretty looks bit cheap to be honest). As much as I love recycling and turning off anything on stand by I shall stick to disposables with dc2 as cannot face any more washing! Selfish but necessary!

Tamlin might be even ahead of you in weight gaining. I would confess how much but stopped weighing myself as it was becoming rather depressing?but I cannot stop thinking about food I just eat non stop.

Lovely to catch up on all scan news! I think we now have definitely more girls BUT I have now decided I do not trust sonographers opinion on sex at all so there still might be few surprised in the end!

tigger how was your birth at UCLH? I will be at the Bloomsbury birthing centre?

Hope you had a lovely weekend. I went away with small groups of girlfriends for hen spa weekend in Kent. Bliss. Pampering, food, [whispers] champagne and wine very little for me though and a lot of food!

Good morning all.

Pavlov Your Birthday, Your Rules!

I have just returned from the drs who I was hopping would have set me up with some physio and set me free but oh no I now have been referred for an MRI scan. Arghhhh. I DON"T WANT ANY MORE STRESS!!!!

I have my physio appointment at the hospital today. To get to a 2.30 appointment, I have to catch a 1.15 bus, and then, if I miss the 3.10 home, I have to wait around until 5.20. With DS in tow (I might be able to find someone to watch him for an hour, but not for five hours!) I predict that this afternoon is going to be hell.

Tamlin Good luck with the Physio (and the journey!) I'm starting to think that those clubs where you exchange babysitting "credits" might be on to something, even though I've always thought I'd avoid them like the plague. We have no family around whatsoever so I can see things like that being a problem here too!

I've been thinking about the Nature Baby Big Softie nappies. We don't have a tumble drier, so options are quite limited (seems that some nappies take a full day to dry and others go hard if air dryed). Got the Brio Happy Pram/Pushchair. I know it might seem a bit of a tank to English tastes, but I love how sturdy it is and also think it looks stylish.

Ninja oh no, MRI! they're probably just trying to cover all bases (and their backs)and it's good they're being thorough, but still... you don't need more things to worry about!

Koumak glad I'm not the only one! Have restrained myself when it comes to decorating the spare room, but that's mostly due to our three kittens currently spending most of their time in what will be the nursery...

Congrats on the girl DeathByDora

Tamlin - hope its not too bad, poor thing, and in this heat as well!!!

Ninja - Oh no, I can imagine how scary that soudns I hope it goes okay. At least maybe afterwards you'll have some answers.

Pavlov - Its your birthday, get your own way! My family insited on throwing a huge BBQ for me this year becasuse it was mt 18th, and although I enjoyed it, I'd have been happy just to curl up with a book all day!

So - my mum and brother have started showing symptoms of Foot and Mouth, am rather scared. Don't seem to be able to find much infomation. The info I can find says it affects mainly young children, but the fact I have a lower immune system needs to be considered, too. My MW is currently trying to track down a doctor to talk about it all with, bless her. Worst comes to the worst, I can kip at DP's for a few days, but I know that will bother him, because of work. Bit scared...

Sorry haven't been on for a while as had some quite heavy spotting everyday for two weeks and was quite stressed, worrying things would be ok and counting down days to scan.

Anyway had 22 week scan today and everything's measuring up as it should. After waiting and worrying for so long was a bit of an anticlimax in the end as was in and out in 10 mins max! No explanation for spotting but got a healthy baby. We didn't find out the sex, they didn't even ask us.

Just dipping in whilst on hols - I'm missing all the hot weather in Aberdeen

Just about to finally put in a blooming marvellous order for some clothes. I seem to be unable to spend money on this pregnancy for some reason

Nappies - I'd definitely recommend motherease one size nappies to those thinking of using reusables. They dry overnight most of the year, and in an afternoon on a sunny day outside. DD still fits in them at 2.5 at night time and she was in them from a couple of months old. Look pretty bulky on wee ones but minimal problems with leakage and rashes (and she had explosive diarrhoea until we diagnosed food intolerances via breast milk at 5 months).

This baby is a right disco dancer - and scarily close to my ribs already. I now vividly remember that pain.... and not being able to bend my back to stretch properly... time to get that pilates DVD out methinks.

afternoon! things are going from bad to worse here, DS just finished antibiotics this morning and now just got back from docs with DD who has croup - joy! have no clue what we're going to do with her this week, i have had loads of time off work recently for pregnancy and DS, i can't see them being happy if i asked for more. everyone else in DH's office is sick or on a/l so he can't get time off - ahhh! absolutely shattered!

BBL they played 'There's no other way' and started with 'She's so high' - sooooo good. Made me feel old though Wanted to be at the front bopping away, not stood at the back daring to have a little jiggle every couple of songs!!

Pav def echo the idea of a house-cleaning party - they can come round to mine when they've done yours!

I can't wait for my scan... 9 days to go... Am concerned baby feels ridiculously low down. I feel kicks and somersaults all the time, but they are all below my belly button and some feel really low Hoping that is normal.

Erika oh no about the foot and mouth - what is the usual treatment?

kaster37 my kicks all down low also, think its normal

I am meant to be consultant led. I was meant to have a consultant appt arranged to coincide with my 20wk scan. They are 'firefighting' at the moment, and as such they are not able to match scans and appts. The woman at the ante-natal clinic assured me I am in the enormous pile and they have 2 people working from top and bottom and I will get an appt within 2 weeks, honestly, don't bother making a midwife appt (as I am not due to see her now until 26 weeks and have not seen her since 16wks, despite my HG).

Anyways. Today. I get a letter through the post. My Dr/midwife has requested that I have an additional non-routine scan. The reasons, apparantly will be explained to me. (Er, ok, when?), the scan will not be detailed, but will concentrate on the areas of concern as you can imagine I started panicking. Then, next to the scan date below, it says, hand-written - Consultant Clinic to follow, with the date not being until 26th August WTF?

So I am presuming the point of this scan is as I am seeing the consultant, and I was told I would get more scans. So, why frighten me like this? Make out there is a problem if its just the consultant appt?

And, why the EFF do I have to wait until I am like 26 fucking weeks to see a consultant that I should have seen at 20 weeks?!!!! I thought the whole point of this consultant led business was preventative, but if it is left too long, they risk having to manage a problem. Really pleased they are taking this second pregnancy seriously .

Luckily I am reassured that the last scan was positive, baby healthy and a good weight, and baby has been somersaulting non-stop over the last few days. And luckily I ignored the midwife at the hospital and made an appt to see my midwife in 2 weeks anyway, but that that will still be 23 wks, 3 weeks later than it should have been.

[angry}

I am just so furious, because, as a consequence of being consultant led, which is because there are reasons to give me a little more attention, actually means I am getting less care right now, as I am not seeing a midwife or a consultant. It really feels like the medical profession do not give a shit. It is so inconsistent. For example, some-one I am working with, has suffered almost identical HG symptons to me, she is due the same day, has had HG for the same time, and she was fast tracked to receive acupuncture as a priority case by her midwife, she got an appt within weeks. My midwife said, 'could put on the list but it will have passed by the time you get an appt as its 3 months wait' then 6 weeks down the line, I finally get her to refer me, but that was 1 month ago, she said she can't fast track and I still have to wait another 2 months.

Grr.

I seriously think, it is my brain which is the most affected part of my body. I keep forgetting everything, doing actually a bad job because of it and I'm unable to remember the posts I've just read.
I know, I should congratulate some people to their scans. Lemontop, you're one of them. Glad to hear that you got good results. I've heard so many times that women have spottings and they can't find any reason and then they have a healthy baby, so don't worry.
Katster, I think it is normal to feel the baby so low down. I'm one of the first ones in this thread and I feel her maximum belly button high and very often quite low (seems to be a better position to kick my bladder)
And I forgot who, but some of you have pains, so I hope you get the treatment you'll need as soon as possible and will feel better soon (sorry again, that I forgot who it was)

Reusable nappies: It seems as they are much more used in the UK than in Austria which I find very interesting. Usually I think the UK is a big landfill full of plastic (sorry, but it is really terrible how often I have to take the rubbish out) and Austria has been very concerned about recycling, waste separation,... since I remember. But if I tell anybody in Austria I even just consider to use reusable nappies, they think I'm completely crazy and sort of a hippie. Anyway, I only know Popolino which doesn't seem to be very popular over here, they look similar to the Motherease mentioned here. My sister could use them from the beginning, she had to fold them somehow and it looked a bit bulky but it was supposed to be even better for the baby's hips. I think, they are very good, maybe the best... well because of the cute wrap covers [that's how I make important decisions] but I saw those from Motherease are very cute too.
I think, I will go to a Nappuccino afternoon. Don't know if they exist only in London but it seems that you get lots of information about different nappie styles. And I should probably go for a brand that I can get here in the UK and later in Austria as well, as we won't stay forever.
Pavlov, I really think, you should get the birthday you want. Make it clear that you just want a day for yourself! Or invite people to your house and hide somewhere else.

Well, I'm off to see two flats. We are seriously considering moving as we would need so many changes in this flat (on the 4th floor) that it seems almost easier to just move. And we don't even know yet if our landlady would agree with everything.
What do you think about living in a lower ground floor flat in London? I have no experience so don't know what it would actually mean. Maybe less safe? Too close to the bins? Could it be smelly? But I really like the idea of a tiny garden (Sorry, I know it's not the right place for this kind of question but the biggest group of British people I know and if it is just to get the right link to the information I'm looking for)

Pavlov, just cross posted. Sorry to hear all that and don't really know what to say. That really is ridiculous. Do you have any options like seeing a private consultant to put you on ease? I guess, you just have to trust your last scan, when everything was fine and try not to get too stressed about the stupid system.
I have been to 2 yoga classes so far and I really like the breathing part to just calm down. I think, relaxing is a very important thing, not just throughout pregnancy.
Maybe you should get a big punching bag for your birthday ...

Pavlov I feel on your behalf. What a palarver (can't spell it).

I've had such a busy day but I won't bore you all with the details but DH forgetting his brother's birthday is tomorrow was just the icing on the cake so the DSs and I have had a mad dash to town this afternoon with a roll of cellotape, a pair of scissors, his address, and a jiffy bag in the hope of finding a present. We did! But it was the last thing DS1 wanted to do after a day at school. So I treated them to milkshakes in 'The Spiderman Cafe' (a geeky sci-fi comic cafe on the way home from town).

Katster I'd forgotten She's so high! I had a friend at University who used to wear this big long sleaved Blur t-shirt all the time. He was a huge fan. He was really into the Stone Roses too. My kicks are below belly button too. I think I have a very active one in there. Last night DS2 woke up crying with a nightmare and frightened the life out of me as I was deeply asleep and the baby went bonkers inside me leaping and jumping about. I must have had an adrenolin rush! Poor thing.

Pavlov- If you dont feel you have the energy to ring up and complain...which you shold...I'd happily do it for you. I am in need of a stranger to yell at and it may as well be NHS-related as they are so very shit.

Scan tomorrow and I'm getting irrationally worried again.

Ahhh, Blur fans reunite on the Due November 09 thread!

I did spot a few preggy ladies, so wonder if one was you, katster? Like you, I wished I was at the front, but did make it quite far in and was giving it a good old bop for sure! The whole gig was so excellent wasn't it? I also loved all the Modern Life is Rubbish stuff and three(!) encores. Was a bit disappointed that Thurs won't be on DVD but then thought, ah well, that means it's just special between Blur and me...oh and the 55,000 other fans there, durrr

My bday tomorrow! Last without BeeBee!

Pavlov it seriously is a joke, isn't it??? That really does sound terrible. Are you in London? I forget. Turtle think you should ring up for Pav (And good luck for scan - am also irrationally worried about scan too - 9 days... )
BBL you sound like you are having a rough time of it at the min, with over-worked DH. Also, think we would have been friends in our yoof - I also had a rather impressive collection of tie-dye t-shirts and leggings, not to mention a vast array of hair dye colours... I was a bit of a geek!
Just had a sleep - I could happily have stayed in bed until tomorrow morning, but DH kept coming in 'to see if I was ready to get up yet'... Hmm, thanks!
Lemontop poor you with all the bleeding- hope you are feeling a bit reassured after your scan.
Usigurke my brain is also affected - I seriously did not used to be as thick as I am now!! I often get at least 1 word wrong in every sentence - eg taking the register this AFTERNOON, said to each child 'Good Morning XXX' All children laughing, one told me why, I laughed, then proceeded to continue doing it until end of register. Think my class think I am just slightly loopy. I told them when they had finished their writing to put it under the table the other day...

Pavlov - That is abolsutely rediculous. I'm so furiously, crazily angry right now for you!!! Sometimes these people are so useless...

Lemontop - glad everything is okay, that must have been such a relief to hear.

Katster - some of mine seem very low as well... But saying that I've never done this before, so am mostly in a flap every single day!

Reassured that F&M is not dangerous to expectant mothers. Am very relieved, but part of me is still thinking, "Have they consdiered your low immune system in that, though?"

Scan tomorrow afternoon. Am such a miaxture of emotions. I feel bad because a friend of ours who fell pregnant litterally the same week as me lost her baby and won't be seeing this while I will. I feel fed up with people telling me that its a bad thing to find out the sex when I have so many logical reasons for needing to know. I'm really excited about seeing the little thing on the screen again. I'm absolutely terrified that they're going to find something wrong. I'm feeling frustrated, once again, by the fact that DP and I aren't living together, so we can't be sharing this as much as I'd like. Its very confusing!!!

I am so sick of people telling us not to find out the sex too - I can't wait to find out. Will make it all the more real and can then start buying clothes! Don't worry, not going to be going overboard pink and frilly if it's a girl, but will be easier to get a picture/idea in head if we know. Can't wait til 18th Jul!

Raggie that's just it! I need it to be real, and having a gender makes it a person, not a "thing", if you get me. I have to start buying stuff, and I've put it off until now, so that I know more about what I'm getting.

Totally get you erika. It will be a little person then, instead of an 'it', unknown 'thing' in my belly. When is your scan? Sure you've said on here but my brain and memory are shrinking by the minute...

I can totally understand why people would want to find out the sex. We were undecided right till the very last minute. I was keener than DP but a couple of our friends were told the wrong sex at the 20 week scan which put me off a bit. The sonogropher didn't ask so we didn't say anything. Still, it'll be a nice surprise to look forward to! I can continue with the Chinese horoscopes and ring tests etc. The funniest one I've heard so far is that if you aren't looking great you're probably having a girl as 'girls steal your beauty!'

I went to an aquanatal class tonight which was very good. Nice to do some exercise and not worry about overdoing it too much. We did our pelvic floor at the end and she said 'try and do this 50 times a day' yeah right!