Due Jan 2010 - watching our beans grow into bumps :-)

[sazlocks]

As we all talk so fast the last thread is nearly full so thought I would start us off on a new one

thanks maygirl - shall book something with GP next week... Tummy is looking huge!

BTW - very happy, just made chocolate moose, having found a recipe on nigella lawson's website that's without raw egg so mum-to-be friendly - yay! Should be ready in about 20 mins... DH out for the night so might take that to bed with me, if not too slobby...

Hi Dizzybear, mmmmm chocolate mousse

being pregnant and raging hormones etc allow us to eat what we want wherever we want so in bed sounds good to me lol. enjoy

Party - I haven't seen my midwife since 16-ish weeks either, but had a scan inbetween I suppose. (this is DC number 3 - have a way to go before I catch you up!)
My Mum said that she just doesn't get excited about babies anymore. She used to knit like mad when any of us announced we were expecting, but this being grandchild number 17, she finds it hard to be enthusiastic.

Should I feel left out that I'm not part of the itchy boob gang?

I'm feeling v pleased am NOT part of itchy boob gang. Had that with 1st but not had since (yay). Am v exhausted again for some reason, aka 1st trimester. Or is it just panicking about finding artificial ice rinks, snow machines, outdoor lighting, santa with reindeer all for free or mates rates in a couple of months that's doing it??

CantThink - you indeed are a brave woman! At the moment I am still on a couple of committees and voluntary fire cadet instructor - but I certainly intend to wind them down soon, as opposed to working up to Christmas!
I've just had my 24 week check today, everything fine (BP not quite as low as the last time, which is good), but baby size was 23cm instead of 24cm (from pubic bone to top of bump). Have to say I was slightly disappointed! She did say that it didn't matter too much till further on though. I also asked about prices for the hypnobirthing course - around about £20 which pleased me a lot!
I have been seeing a mw every 4 weeks from 12 weeks, and after 28 weeks it will be every 2 or 3. At 28 weeks I'll get more blood taken and get my 'maternity allowance' - not too sure why, but £190 will come in quite handy!
I was nearly crying with the pain in my erse this morning, but luckily have physio tomorrow morning and she will hopefully recommend something to help. We also have a PINS (Pelvic Instability Network Scotland) group based here who are sending me some info out.
No itchy boobs, but did have an itchy back for a couple of weeks which has now gone.
MW was most amused when I said we were getting married in 8 weeks and suggested that the dress should lace-up at the front instead! Tried it on yesterday and there's plenty of room for growth.
We were out walking at the weekend (gorgeous here and DP wanted to "show off my gorgeously pregnant wife-to-be" [nauseainducingemoticon]), as were countless families with prams etc. As we passed a bench with 3 old women on it, they commented that there must be something in the air down here!

I don't see midwife between 16 weeks and 24 weeks either - and I'm a first-timer, so don't think it matters how many you have!
Did have a scan inbetween at 21 weeks this week, but no bloods/wee at that!
On the subject of lots of babies, sonographer did say she sees up to 25 babies a day, 5 days a week, and never gets bored - each one is as exciting as the first one, which I though was lovely!

Dizzy with DD I didn't see the midwife between 16 and 24 weeks. This time I'm seeing my GP or midwife every 2 weeks, but this is mainly because I have been so ill and its a different surgery. However, they still like you to see either the midwife or GP once a month.

Cantthinkoffunnyname you are very brave - I can't begin to think of taking on anything else before this baby arrives!

Sockmonkey my Mother is very excited about this baby, but it is only No 4 - not 17! She is desperate for a boy (she has 3 granddaughters). DH's parents on the other hand don't seem that bothered about the baby or the variety - ho hum

I had my 20 week scan today. All is OK, but I've got to go back next week for a further cardiac scan, baby wasn't being very co-operative (what a shock!). The sonographer was rather rude about me being hard to scan because "You do realise that you have a high BMI which makes it very difficult to get a clear picture". DH took great delight in pointing out that they couldn't get a clear picture when I had an internal scan at 7 weeks, so it can't just be my padding! We did ask about the sex, but the cord was between the baby's legs so they wouldn't make a guess.

The whole family has been ill with a very nasty cold all week, me included. DH and DD have been dosed up with medicine, but I'm limited to paracetomol which are rubbish - what I wouldn't give for a lemsip!

Dizzy - I haven't seen the midwife since 15 weeks and am now 21 ish. I saw her on Mon and TBH it was a bit of a waste of time.

partyofsix don't know about the health professionals being less bothered and I am no where near your number of pregnancies but even so find that this one is just happening - still excited but not compulsive about reading whats happening every week etc

cantthink you are a brave woman - I am supposed to do a dissertation before Dec but really can't get my ass in gear to sort it out.

Had the 20 week scan today and all well. Baby has all its bitsin the right place, right size, doing the right things. No idea what it is gender wise but hoping its one or the other !

itchy boobs here too. find usin moisturiser on them helps though. expecially dd prescribed cream from her having dry baby skin. emmolient cream i think it is called

Hi All, I'm keen to going down the relaxation/self-hypno route (as long as no complications). I learnt some relaxation/meditation techniques in the mid nineties, and these helped with insominia and exam stress. Then when preg with DD I read up on some techniques to help with pain. One that I found v. useful to practice before and great with gas and air at the start, it was to look at the colour white and as you breathe in imagine that the colour is providing healing light-energy. Breathe in slowly through your nose and take the colour up into your brain, then back down your spine, feeling it radiate along your ribs, then let it circle your pelvis. Sorry if this next bit is TMI, but the next time you feel really happy (e.g. orgasm), try to focus on the area of your brain that releases endorphins, this is the area to breathe the light into, to then feel the 'relaxation' going down your body. Anyhow, it kept me calmer Then again, I loved gas and air so much they took it away from me at the end, as I was too 'far away' to concentrate! I like to relax in the shower every morning now - even for a few min - that's my time to breathe light in slowly (before the mania of getting a hundred things done in no time).

Oh lilacpink that sounds lovely! And what a brilliant idea to do on a regular basis.
I have just discovered that we have outbreaks of swine flu in our town...the population is only 6,500 so there is every chance of meeting those involved. One is the older son of my friend who gave birth 2 weeks ago

Oh Fraochsmum you poor thing, what a worry. I watched some of that documentary on swine flu last night, scary. I'm particularly worried as dd has asthma which has been quite bad and so do I. I had terrible bout of flu/chest infection last year. I feel we are very vulnerable.

Those wondering about midwife checks we were given a list:

For us for 2nd or subsequent babies checks at: 8wks, dating scan at 11wks, 16 wks, anomaly scan at 20wks, 28wks, 34wks, 38wks and 41wks, if you get that far!

I can't remember how often for 1st time but I think there was a big gap in the middle. I will be checked every 2wks from 28wks on to check bp and urine as well as Glucose Tolerance Test at 28wks and every week from 34wks. But I am high risk and seem to spend my life at the hospital/doctor's surgery at the moment.

That is lovely news anniemac and glad you can relax now - that is a long time to be worried for.
Thanks for the reassurance, I always said I wouldn't bother about it unless it hit my home town though. Last week I spoke to the step-father of one case (unknowingly) and the sister of another case one of our fire cadets.
Went to the physio today who said my problem was muscular and put some tape on it (poor woman!). I will go back on Monday to let her know how I got on, and may get accupuncture then. Strangely enough it is already easier walking up and down stairs, so I'm quite hopeful.

Congratulations anniemac! I'm sure your baby looks beautiful.

Glad you are feeling a bit better Fraochsmum if it's muscular hopefully it's not too serious.

Daily/weekly moan alert.... Now 24 weeks and have felt quite wretched all week. Can't put finger on it but similar to 1st trimester exhaustion. DCs have stinking colds and whilst I don't, wonder if i have the accompanying lethargy that typically goes with - or whether its just the 3rd trimester exhaustion creeping in early. Ho hum. A day spent on the sofa and bawling as feel v down and sorry for myself - don't know why!

hello, cantthink I am feeling so exhausted too and also on sofa hiding from world!! have a new favourite munch though, frozen tinned peaches and frozen twix bars..together [oink]!!!

Had consultants appt today and due to 'poor obstetric history' and cholestasis and pre eclampsia when pregnant with DD and various issues this time they want me to go back in a few weeks and have growth scans every 4 weeks until baby is out. Luckily though at the moment no pre eclampsia, the protein seems to have gone and my bp is 80/50 (er..low?) as opposed to my 150/95, so no panics at the moment.

Forgive the vent I am about to type....

OK So I was off work for a couple days 2 weeks ago with scan and also DD's inquest (rather major event) and returned to work to an email advising that due to some inactivity with my caseload (5 days?) I have lost it, all of it, ?? That is very annoying because it was my caseload and I was managing it fabulously, settling cases and dealing with everyone fabulously since my return to work and they are being pr*cks about it

Ehem anyway--- so caseload lost means my job is, well, I don't even know what my job title is right now, I feel like I have been seriously demoted

AND this week, my immediate colleagues are 2 girls, about my age (early 20s). One of them was eating loads of salt and vinegar crisps and saying she only wants that type and she had chips with salt and vinegar on etc the night before...so I said, in a jokey way, 'you're not pregnant are you!!? ' and the response I got was in the frostiest tone - 'No just because you've messed up your life by getting pregnant again don't try wishing it on me to make yourself feel better'

Now I have to say, this girl knows what cr*p I have dealt with this year (DD's illness and death, for one), I have worked there for 3.5 years and she has worked there for just under 1 year and is a retard not great in her role

I cannot wait to leave that place!!!!!!

OK vent over, thanks x

OK vent continues.. I also got loads of bitchy remarks this week about what I am going to name the baby, they are critical of DD's name (which is a lovely classic meaning 'bringer of light' and none of their business) and they constantly make snide remarks about the way I speak ('are you calling him something like quentin?? poor child will be beaten up') as they seem to think I am too 'well-spoken' OK so I may speak properly whereas the evil girl has a strong not from london regional accent but I am no snob and I am endlessly nice to these people. I even bite my tongue when I hear them saying legally incorrect things to clients because I don't want to insult them (though it drives me mad )

I mean, really, should I just take maternity leave early, like November?

Sorry for the 'me me me' posts it's just really getting to me, must be the hormones but it feels like I am surrounded by juvenile obnoxious idiots parading as a good city firm very worrying!

hope everyone is ok(ish)? anniemac huge congrats on your little DD2

Crumpette can't believe your work would treat you like this it sounds terrible.
Can't you finish as soon as you hit 29 weeks.

hi alibobins, again sorry for my whingeing! I can in theory finish at 29 weeks (october 21st?) but would only get basic SMP so don't know if I'd regret missing a couple months normal salary..?

Argh I'm probably being really pathetic but it's really getting to me hard to tell subjectively if I am being silly or not.

waa waa waa woe is me now where's that other twix......

Aw Crumpette. That sounds seriously messed up. I am very angry for you. Hope the work situation gets sorted out for you, you do not need that kind of stress. ((hugs))