Due November 2009 - second trimester thread part 2

[skorpion]

Hope this works

Think Curtis Sittenfeld is a woman (curse those Yanks and their confusing boys-names-are-great-on-girls trend! ) I did love 'The American Wife' - thought it was very good on the myriad tiny compromises that you have to make in order to sustain a working marriage, and where exactly those compromises threaten your personal integrity.

Favourite Anne Tyler is probably 'Digging to America' - I still rather like the name Susan after reading that one!

We spent yesterday at the beach down in Dorset in order to take my mind off worrying about today's scan. It was utterly gorgeous, and fortunately there were very few families on the beach to witness me seriously straining the seams of my non-maternity swimsuit! Went swimming across the cove even though the water was frigid, but all the pregnancy books bang on about not overheating your foetus and don't seem to worry abut half-freezing them... I just wish I had something to take my mind off it now.

What time is your scan, Tamlin? I'm around on here if you want to talk about nothing in particular to stay pre-occupied.

I've just finished reading Twilight, and must confess it deserved all the hype it got. Thought it would be all teenage girl agnst ridden kinda crap, but it was written so well I take my hat off to Stephenie Meyer.

you are doing soo well BBL if my dh is late home by 10 mins or away one nite i go mad! and i only have one dd to deal with!

anyone have any hyper dd/ds that leap onto your stomach?? good job there is alot of padding of baby to be would be well and trul squashed..

scan on saturday, can't wait, feel like its been ages coming now

Phew, so hot, don't know what to do with myself!

bbl sorry your dh hasn't been around much, it must be so hard, especially being pregnant. Dh works pretty long hors and I know how hard it is looking after ds from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed, but at least dh is around at weekends.

Baby is moving around loads, dh got to feel it for the first time yesterday and it was lovely!

Right, I'm off to dip my feet in ds paddling pool, good luck to anyone with scans today!

absolutely shattered!! been up since 4.30 at a&e, ds has an ear, nose and throat infection and really isn't happy, poor little man. it's his 1st birtjday too tho we've postponed this to the weekend! he's now asleep dosed up on antibiotics, calpol and nurofen (feel bad cause i'd just been blaming his teeth!)

beepbeep your poor DS! I hope he feels better soon... Don't feel bad, you couldn't have known, I'm sure a lot of people would have thought the same thing

Beepbeep poor your DS - little mite. I hope he is ok soon.

Thanks everyone for being so nice to me - it really helps me feel better DH is actually due back 7.30pm tonight which is good but no doubt he will do work until gone midnight! I've told him I'm going to throw away his alarm clock if he goes to bed after midnight!!!

It is sooooo hot today but bearable because we have an old house with thick walls so, so long as we are inside we are ok.

Tamlin I hope your scan went ok today.

Well, better go bath the DSs!

beepbeep, I hope your son is soon feeling better.
BBL, I hope your husband is already at home and had a couple of minutes for you, too.

How is anyone dealing with the heat? I'm ok, although I had a few weak moments in the tube (luckily I'm getting seats now most of the time, maybe I look too desperate). But I do feel a difference between this and last week. I get tired more easily and my back starts hurting quicker (not too much though, I just "feel" it.
I still enjoy sun and heat, I quite missed it.
In Austria, it seems to be the opposite, it doesn't stop raining, lots of flooding, a few people died already, I think. How about the Czech Republic and Switzerland?

Becky - Do it!!! I reckon he'd probably be greatful, secretly I'm glad he's due home at a sensible time tonight. Hopefully you'll get some time with him.

I'm eating jelly out of the packet. Tastes. So. Good...

Little better here, I think the antibiotics are kicking in. Had a few hormonal tears tonight though - it's his first brhday and we haven't even opened a card. We've said we'll postpone it til the weekens when he's on better form, but i feel so sad for him, my poor little man.

BBL - hope your DH is back, mine's at work til 10.30 - joy!! at least he didn't start til later so was with me at the hospital.

Oh beep beep your poor ds, hope he feels better soon. How horrible to be ill on his 1st birthday, but you can give him a lovely belated birthday and he will be none the wiser! I remember last Christmas ds had chicken pox, he had so many presents but was too poorly to open and play with them all so everyday we would let him open just 1 or 2 and have a little play if he was up to it. Meant he was still opening presents into the New Year!

My ds is being a right pickle, put him to bed an hour ago and he is still awake. He keeps getting up and playing on the landing, he is driving me mad! Must have put him back to bed about 20 times and running up and down stairs in this heat is no fun!

bbl hope you and dh have had some time together this evening. My dh isn't home yet, will be at 9pm but I will be in bed shortly after!

Aaagh just home from the hospital Woman bashed me on a train and I feel, getting a bike across my stomach and having lots of horrid pains and tightenings, it was so scary. Anyway, heard baby's heart, had nasty internal examination which seemed fine, but they have sent blood off as i am Rh-. So scary though, I feel like never leaving the house But have felt lots of wriggling since. Am just worried it has damaged the placenta - it hurt so much!!
Going to catch up on everything now... Sorry for miserable post!

Katster, that sounds terrible. Did the woman realise what she had done? Hadn't she seen you? Anyway, I'm sure everything will be fine, the baby has been well protected and the placenta will be fine, too. My mum felt twice with my older brother, once when she got off a car and once even down the stairs. And with my sister she had even an operation because they thought it would be ecoptic, so they opened her, said "oups, everything is fine", closed her and a couple of months later my sister was born (about 38 years ago). Take a good rest now (do you have to stay at home for a while?) and enjoy the wriggling

Thanks usigurke. Yes, I think lots of people have accidents and falls, it was just so scary. But baby is moving lots, and they found the heart rate really quickly. The internal showed no signs of bleeding or amniotic fluid... Just terrifying! Especially as, after waiting 2 hours, a Dr came into the waiting room issuing us all with masks as a lady I had been sat next to had been 'diagnosed' with swine flu!!!! They came back half an hr later to say no, it wasn't swine flu, sorry! Much to my relief!
No, don't have to rest or anything, and got a really busy week Think I will go to bed now though. And had row with DH as he made me a tuna pizza and then told me the can of tuna had been opened last WEDNESDAY and I refused to eat it!! Think he thinks I am being a sht. BBL* REALLY hope you are having a nice evening with DH
And Erika jelly out of a packet - yum - what flavour?
xxx

Katster poor you. I hope you are ok. Take good care of yourself xxx

I'm watching the tennis - oh my god how exciting is this? I haven't even switched over to BB! This is much more exciting!

DH is home but he's been gardening! He's so funny. I guess it is his way to release stress.

katster hope you're feeling better now. It's really scary to get bashed - I hope the woman apologised. And the swine flu comment! Don't they realise you're supposed to be taking it easy and not getting stressed??

BBL sorry you've been having such a tough time. I know how grumpy I am that DH has college two evenings a week and so gets home after 9pm. Then he often goes out another night a week straight from work. I find it so hard on those days, especially as, like you, I don't really have any adult conversation most days until he gets in. Glad you're enjoying the tennis though! I haven't really been watching but my dad's been on the edge of his seat.

beepbeep your poor DS! I'm sure he'll be on the men in no time - antibiotics are very effective when they're so young I think. You must feel disappointed though. I cried on DD's 1st birthday too, just over the passing of time.

erika I definitely agree with all that's been said about doing university later. I always think to myself that if I won the lottery now I'd go back to university. It wasn't that I did the wrong course or anything, but I was always a bit of a skiver and did the bare minimum of work, missed lectures etc. I never knew how much I'd miss learning until I left, and what an opportunity I had at the time that, while I didn't exactly waste it, I could have made so much more of. I would give anything now to spend all day reading and writing about books (I did English)

tamlin - hope the scan went well?
I thought American Wife was really interesting from that marriage point of view too. Strangely enough, I read it on our honeymoon (which was 4 days long, and the book is about 500 pages, so you can see what a romantic time we had...)

Katster You poor thing!!! I'd have had a go at the woman with the bike... I ended up shouting at some Spanish guy on the way back this weekend - I'd just got up and balacned, and he came litterally running into me. I was furious, he didn't even ask if I was okay, just turned with his mate when I shouted, "Yeah, I am here you know!!!" (Not the most creative of things but hey.) He just started laughing!! I think my DP would have really caused a fuss if I'd have let him... I had pains just after as well and then had a bit of spotting. Was only tiny but scared me.

As for the jelly - strawberry!!! Might have some more for breakfast.

I wacked my head on the table last night - lost my balance and fell over. I'm supposed to be going to London for a photo shoot today. I'm going by myself as my friends backed out at the last minute. Am kinda nervous, but if I cancel now, I loose my deposit. I don't really feel up to it - especially as I have to get the tube by myself

Hello everyone,

Haven't posted here for a while as don't really have any news!

But it's so exciting hearing about everybodies scans!

I've been feeling a tiny bit jealous when I go out and see all the yummy-mummies with their babies going for a stroll in the sun. It looks so relaxing and lovely! But then the other day I saw a baby who was so hot his little face was beetroot red! And the mum was plastering sun cream on him. The poor thing had no sun shelter at all, the mum didn't have an umbrella or even a cover on the pushchair. Felt sorry for her and the baby At least we won't have to worry about our babies overheating! Random thought I know but thought I'd share!

Have midwife appointment today. Hopefully they'll let me hear the heartbeat. Do they do that automatically or do you need to ask?

Katster, that's so frightening - you poor thing.

Anomaly scan went well - it just took forever. Apparently she had a clear enough view, but the baby had his head buried deep in my pelvis so she couldn't get a clear shot of the brain, and the rest of him was wiggling and wriggling like mad. We could see my abdomen roiling away as he fought off the doppler. And yes, it's definitely a 'he'. I'd be fibbing if I said that I didn't have a quiet thud of disappointment at the pit of my tummy as we only want two children, and well, my whole family seems to be composed of endless aunts and great-aunts and sisters, and the blokes just sidle quietly in and out of the picture. So it seems odd to think I'll never have a daughter... My mental image of a leggy little girl called Polly just went up in smoke!

Oh well. Hopefully one of my sisters will have a daughter and I'll be able to take her on girly shopping trips when she's an adolescent and agree with her that yes, her mother IS a complete pain.

Tamlin I understand how you feel. This is my last one too and I can't deny that I won't feel a small pang of disappointment if the baby is another boy for the same reasons as you. But then again you could have lots of boys like my old school friend who has six boys and no girls (yet). As you say perhaps your sisters will have girls. I have two nieces, aged 22 and 12. I really like being an auntie too as it isn't the same as being a parent (all the fun without the hard bits!).

It just seems ridiculous - I worried and worried that I was losing this one through all those long weeks of bleeding, and then I worried and worried that they'd find something abnormal on the scan, and now here I am, having a quiet sulk because they found a perfectly normal penis. Fortunately, DH is being very understanding about my complete loss of perspective (mind you, I think he's secretly doing a bit of a Henry VIII-style swagger due to his fabulous virility or whatever).

Katster Hope you're alright..you poor thing...how are you feeling now?? Some people, just don't slow down do they?

beepbeep big hugs to you and DS..hope he gets better soon and you get some sleep soon. Its so hard when they are ill..

NEWS...Its a GIRL!!!! all is well and saw the baby jump and jump and she had her hand on her head..a thinker already..very pleased DD will have a sis..He didn't say anything but I'm sure DH would have loved a boy but he seemed very happy that she was well and healthy..Massive savings on clothes!

Tamlin we also plan to have two so can understand how you feel...But the two boys will grow up together and be really good mates. Hopefully you will have lovely neices! and I will hopefully have some nephews!

I'm back but can't keep up with you ladies.
Off to my scan now so will catch update later.
Just wanted to say hello

Congratulations to all the positive scan news! I think it is normal to be a bit disappointed if it is not the other sex than the first child (I already thought, if the next one won't be a boy, it will get really stressful, how stupid is that???)
Ninjacat, good luck for yours.

I'm off to my first pregnancy yoga class - finally.

Hi All

Sorry it's been a while yet again since last checking in. Unfortunately this pregnancy seems to have been littered with problems so I've been kinda preoccupied. I'll just update the list and then do a quick recap:

Julietbat #2 EDD 28 Oct,
Pinkfizzle #1 EDD 28 Oct, SE London
Koumak #2 EDD 28 Oct (TBC), North London, UCHL
FattipuffsandThinnifers #2 EDD 31 Oct,
ursigurke #1 EDD 31 Oct, West London
Mrsladybug #? EDD 1 Nov,
Mangolassi #2 EDD 1 Nov,
Broodzilla #1 EDD 2 Nov BOY
Lillee #? EDD 3 Nov,
Supercherry #2 EDD 4 Nov,
Chocotastic #2 EDD 4 Nov, SE London
Fruitpastels #2 EDD 4 Nov, SE London
Stokey #1 EDD 4 Nov, North London
Homeinthesun #2 EDD 4 Nov,
Gizboss #1 EDD 4 Nov
MrsDisorganised #5 EDD 4 Nov, Scotland
Lemontop #1 EDD 5 Nov,
Ronniemummy #2 EDD 5 Nov (to be confirmed!!)
Browntrout #2 EDD 6 Nov Manchester
tamlin #2 EDD 5 Nov,
Piper #1 & #2 EDD 6 Nov, Twins!
BonyM #? EDD 6Nov,
Leannabanana #3 EDD 6 Nov,
BlackLetterDay #3 EDD 6 Nov,
Trikken #2 EDD 6 Nov, SW Dorset
Tabbykat #2 EDD 7 Nov, Kent
Scarlotti #3 EDD 7 Nov,
Ruddynorah #2 EDD 7 Nov, leeds
WizzyWoo #2 EDD 7 Nov, Morpeth
AileenF1 # EDD 8 Nov,
Barnowl #4 EDD 8 Nov,
eeyore2 #1 EDD 8 Nov, London
Munchies37 #1 (Twins) EDD 8 Nov,
sleeplessinthecity #2 EDD 8 Nov, Switzerland
Buttercup EDD 9 Nov,
Catitainahatita #2 EDD 9 Nov,
Helips #2 EDD 9 Nov,
CakeForBreakfast #2 EDD 9 Nov,
Hobnob57 #2 EDD 9 Nov,
Tiddlypom #2 EDD 9 Nov
Cies #1 EDD 10 Nov, Vigo, NW Spain.
QueenNeurosis #? EDD 10 Nov,
PootleTheFlump #1 EDD 10 Nov, South West
Grendle EDD 11 Nov,
lynniep #2 EDD 11 Nov, Cambridgeshire
CassORole #? EDD 11 Nov
Weston #2 EDD 12 Nov,
LadyGooGoo #3 EDD 13 Nov, North Wales
roomac #3 EDD 13 Nov, NW London
Tigger32 #3 EDD 14 Nov, East Midlands
MiniLlace #? 14 Nov,
Southernbelle77 #2 EDD 14 Nov, West Sussex
BeckyBendyLegs #3, EDD 14 Nov, Shorpshire
Barnowl #4 EDD 15 Nov, Hampshire
pinkmich1972 #3 EDD 15 Nov, kent
DeathbyDora #3 EDD 15 Nov, USA
alexdrake #2 EDD 15 Nov, Essex
Kyte #2 EDD 16 Nov, Hampshire Surrey border
LaraT #2 EDD 16 Nov,
ErikaMaye - #1, EDD 16th Nov - Brighton and Hove (Birth at PRH)
EasyEggs #5, EDD17 Nov, Kent, (Sussex/Surrey border) GIRL!
Brightonbaby #1 EDD 18 Nov Brighton&Hove
Dorisdaily #3 EDD 18 Nov
Pavlovthecat #2 EDD 18 Nov
belgianbun #2 EDD 20 Nov, S London
ldeeanna #1 EDD 20 Nov, Truro, Cornwall
Manfrom # 1 (twins) EDD 20 Nov
katster37 #1 EDD 21 Nov, S London BOY
Ninjacat no2 EDD 22 Nov, Bristol
Hamandegger #? EDD 23 Nov, West Sussex
Beepbeep #3 EDD 23 Nov
Turtle23 #2 EDD 22 Nov, London/Surrey border
Flumpity #2 (Twins) EDD 26 Nov,
MumsieBumsie #1 EDD 26 Nov, South London
Laugs #2 26 Nov, Newcastle
Grace09 #1 EDD 27 Nov, Glasgow
Pedalmonster #2 EDD 27 Nov, Surrey
Joycey29 #3 EDD 27 Nov,
Naetha #2 EDD 27 Nov,
FairyBex #1 EDD 28 Nov, Cumbria
raggie #1 EDD 28 Nov, North London
Skorpion #1 EDD 29 Nov, Oxfordshire
Claired21 #1 EDD 29 Nov, Glasgow

So, 16 week bloods came back with a "quirky" result. I had changed my mobile number and hadn't informed the hospital or midwife because I didn't even think to if I'm honest and DH and I had been away for almost a week visiting family. When I got back, my desperate midwife got in touch to say she and the hospital had been demented trying to get in touch and I had to go for a scan urgently. Turns out I have a low estriol level and when it's as low as mine, it usually means the baby is already dead. Luckily it's little heart was pumping away but then I was told that it had to be a boy, as a girl would need to be terminated due to serious abnormality associated with my result. After a horrific few minutes searching, the consultant found a little penis and then broke the news that it would have one of two genetic problems: X Linked Icthyiosis, a dry skin condition which if bad, could result in skin looking like snake scales, or Smith Lemli Opitz, a fatal condition where they would offer a termination as the baby wouldn't live very long anyway.

After a battery of tests to find out what the hell was going on, it's been diagnosed with the skin condition and we've had loads of info about what to expect but now it's just a matter of waiting for birth to see how bad it's going to be. Just waiting for one more blood test to see if learning disability present with the condition and then we can breathe a little more easily.

I've been off work for past month while all this has been going on, crying one minute, angry the next, particularly since I've found out I have a half brother I never knew about who actually has the skin condition (including painful thick scaly skin all over his torso apparently) and skeletons have come tumbling out of the family closet re my mum and dad. Not what I need!

Still, at least I know it's a boy, although we're not really celebrating yet, as I guess we're still waiting for something else to go wrong. Sorry for long post. Been bottling this up for a while so unfortunately you guys have got the long winded end of it...

Oh yeah, been told that due to the low oestriol level, I won't go into labour naturally so going to have to be induced again so am absolutely terrified that I'll have a similar experience to last time, although consultants have said I could opt for elective caesarean due to trauma last time. No family around here to help afterwards though so any advice would be appreciated....

So anyway, congratulations to everyone who knows what they're having and I'm hoping those who don't enjoy the surprise in November!

I have a quick question before I stop hogging the thread... Does anyone know of a really good shop to buy a double pram in? I'm wondering if there's such a thing as a warehouse type place where you can "test-drive" the prams before you buy rather than buying online or browsing all of two or three double prams in Mothercare... I live near Newcastle but could travel up to Scotland or down as far as north of London at a push if anyone can recommend a really good place...

A happy note to finish (I do have one, honest!): We had a free 4D scan as part of the testing and they gave us a picture of the baby's face. DD carries a photocopy of it around, saying "aah, baby" if she's in a good mood or " baby, bleurgh!" if she's not!!

Thanks for letting me sound off xx