Due March 2010 - do I look pregnant yet or just fat?

[annamama]

... starting a new thread as the old one was running out of space ...

Annamamma My DH is American too - South Jersey, about 20 mins from down town Philadelphia, is where he grew up. We had a great time - my SIL got married and the reception was at my PIL's, so that was the focus but we also managed some nights in NYC, a night in Cape May (the beautiful bit of the Jersey Shore ) and 3 days in Savannah...so I envy you your upcoming visit . Is your DH from Florida?

Loubudd pretty behaviour by your PCT. I mean, I thought that regular urine tests and blood pressure tests were just bog standard and surely cheaper than the possible problems caused by a lack of monitoring? Private may be an option, but it seems unfair to force you to do that (in London a private midwife can run to thousands). I think if I were you I'd just pester the midwife every 6 weeks or so, feigning symptoms as necssary, to get the basic checks. A hassle I know but it makes me that such basic things are being neglected.

So I've come over all crafty at the moment. In a craft attack on the way home from work today I bought some wool to crochet a blanket (am inspired by my granny in law in Savannah, who's 93 and has already crocheted us 3 blankets and some booties and hats!). Guess it's early nesting...

hi all
god this thread moves fast! nice to catch up on all you ladies though
Firstly i need to apologise, because I'm really rubbish and i just know i can't name everyone and mention them all with various apt comments and quotes. It's really not because i don't care, it's just a mixture of pregheadness and stupidity. So, with that in mind, I probably won't be able to go through and name people etc! Sorry i hope you don't mind
What I was going to say was:

• thank you all for the useful comments about my odd dates and whether i'm giving birth to an elephant - i suppose only time will tell! i completely agree about not being induced unless i absolutely have to, hence my sort of obsession about getting dates right. But I'm determined to hold out until absolutely necessary..
• agreed re Mum to Be birthday treat, definitely an option when you have such a good excuse!

My 30th birthday is on the 26th March. Not only will most of you have babies by then, but I fully expect my labour to kick in on that day. It's exactly the sort of thing my body would do to me

• and yes to movement. Definitely felt it a lot the past few days, pretty sure i've felt it earlier than this but now i'm positive, if that makes any sense! V nice.

Weather in Bristol is just lush at the moment, i'm enjoying it so much I even went for an impromptu picnic this pm! Brilliant!

I've requested to join the FB group (am Kelly I)

I fell down the stairs yesterday with DD and am really suffering with SPD as a result. I don't know how I'll recover but am a bit wobbly about the rest of the pregnancy as there is a real chance now that SPD will scupper me.

Sorry- selfish post.

IWCAS- I can't offer advice but send hugs.

Pixie- good luck tomorrow. Fraternal twins at church are three weeks old called Natasha and Nicholas (Nick and Nat!)

Everyone else- hello. Sorry I've not mentioned you all by name but there are LOTS of us xx

PixieOnaLeaf - wow we have a knitter among us! That's great, I've actually joined several groups in London, haven't gone to many meetings yet, but I try and knit at home as often as I can. It's so relaxing!

Arcadie - thanks for the detailed instructions re Facebook. I will go and join in a little while.

LouBudd - you totally have a right to be angry and upset. It's ridiculous that this is the kind of care you are receiving when you're pregnant. And I agree, if you can afford it, go private. But you shouldn't have to. It's kind of similar to my situation, in that the NHS was not very thorough in the 1st trimester testing, and I went private in order to have some peace of mind. I think I'll do the same for the 20 week scan, although it is costly. Good luck with your mission! Let us know how it goes.

DH and I are going on our final vacation this Sunday before the baby comes. We're going to Greece. I've been looking for leftover summer maternity wear, haven't found much. Hopefully I won't need to wrap myself in a towel all day long.

Hope everyone is having a lovely evening.

Hi, all.

BPM, happy birthday! Hope you had a great day. V v at spa treatment...

I had all important "dating scan" today whithout which "this pregnancy cannot continue" - quote from the MW last Friday . I did not say anything, however sat there thinking "I think it probably can". With all the comments re cost cutting because of louBudd's problem I find it even bizarrer that this scan was insisted on (as I am certain of my dates, have been scanned 2x already and all dates match up AND hardly any babies are born on the actual calculated due date..).
Anyway, lou, I am sorry you do not feel well looked after. I think a lot of the reduction of antenatal appointments has to do with trying to "normalise" normal pregnancy and not to generate too much anxiety of all the things than may go wrong but usually don't. It is a shame that the powers that be sometimes seem to forget that it can be quite reassuring to be told "all's well" even if that does not predict a desired outcome.

puree, SPD, ouch, it is horrible, hope it will settle soon for you. And how scary to have fallen down the stairs! Maybe you should just sit like Queen Sheba on her thrown and be served ! Fat chance, I am sure.

Good luck, Pixie, for your scan. There were identical twin boys in my year in school and they were told apart by a mole that one had on his cheek but not the other! (I hope yours are fraternal and a boy and girl - always fancied a set like that myself)

My mum and dad are coming to stay for a week, arriving late tonight. Childcare, shopping AND cooking all sorted for the next week, yeah! I love my mum - and dad in small doses.

I sure there is other stuff I was going to butt in comment on, but this thread really moves so fast by the time I've read it I've forgotten what I was going to say. Preg brainrot has clearly set in...

Caitni - My DH is from New Jersey too! (but a bit more in the middle) Most of his family now live in Florida. Sounds like you had a great time over there!

Pixie - the chance/risk of fraternal twins increases with age... plus it's more common anyway, so my bet is on that! Yes a boy and a girl would be cute. I'm sure you'll be fine if you BF, just eat and drink LOTS... I was fantasising about having twins and I think I would do a bit of mixed feeding, but maybe try to BF exclusively for the first few weeks or so. I'm sure you can get lots of advice on twin threads...

MummyElk - hope you won't spend your 30th in labour! My birthday is near the due date as well, I'm hoping for the baby's sake we won't have the same birthday, I'm sure it wants its own!

Oh Puree - ouch at falling down the stairs!

Iwonka - Greece is lovely and so is the food, yum! And it won't be too hot now either. Hope you have a great time!

HI everyone,

Pixie - am so excited for you about Friday - please come on IMMEDIATELY and tell us whether they are identical or not [stern look]! Re BF I don't know much about it but agree with arcadie that if your body can get pg than your body is def capable of producing enough milk etc. I suppose you can play it by ear and see how exhausted you are - mixed-feeding might be another option?

My scan is also Friday and we have decided we will find out. Have recently been feeling like I really want a girl (already have one of each) - I really hope I don't feel disppointed if it's a boy. I think I'd prefer a girl for the sake of my DC (DD wants a girl and it would give DS a special status as he will be the middle child) - but think it has now affected my own preferences.

sarahmikerosie - that is hilarious how your DH found out!! For DS DH wanted to find out and I didn't and the sonographer said she wouldn't tell us unless we both wanted to know! So I caved in

LouBudd - agree that your MW behaved apallingly and you have every right to be upset and angry. However, I have read that they have done some research to show that having frequent antenatal appointments in a low-risk (2nd or subsequent) pregnancy does not improve the outcome - I think this is why 1st time mothers have an appt at 24weeks and old timers like us don't have one until 28. However, what is important is that YOU don't feel happy with this and therefore you should be able to get more frequent appointments.

welcome back caitni - glad you had a good hol. Sympathies re sciatica - I had awful backpain with DD - lots of massage and sitting straight seemed to help (a bit)

So great everyone is beginning to feel their babies move - mine's kicks are so strong now DH can feel them

IT'S A BOY!!!!

I wasn't going to find out but when she scanned down the legs it was obvious!

My poor DD will have 3 brothers! Already starting to worry about the food bills!

BPM - happy birthday for yesterday! It's my birthday today and I've just made myself birthday cupcakes (bit tragic i know) and eaten two of them in a row. Now feeling a little ill and am being taken out to lunch in an hour! Oops.

Hello to everyone else, Pixie congrats on the twins, I'm very jealous!

Had my sixteen week MW appointment yesterday. She tried to find the heartbeat but every time she found it, the little "tadpole" (her words) squirmed out of range again. She said it was moving so much that it must be a boy. Sounds scientific ... ahem.

hello,

i joined this thread ages ago when I first found out I was pregnant and then I kind of got side tracked and forgot about it - I hope you don't mind me joining you again now.

I am due on 5th March and had a midwife apptmt on Monday and she didn't really do much, just took my blood pressure and weighed me - is that normal - I'm sure with DS (24 months) the midwife was listening for a heart beat at this stage. Don't really think I have felt baby move yet - is that abnormal for a second pregnancy?

Guess I'm just having a bit of a worried day today and didn't get any reassurance from the MW.

Would love to be a regular on your thread.
xx

Many congrats Becky! Another little man! Aw, but never mind poor DD - can you imagine when she's older all the 'brothers friends' she'll have vying for her attention to pick from when she wants a date?

Happy Birthday Walnut! If making yourself cupcakes is tragic, I must be doubly tragic because I'm totally craving a cupcake now! Hurrah for birthday cupcakes!

(anyone else find the '' emotion slightly creepy?)

waves to EmLouT Welcome back! It's not my thread by any means, but I hope you'll stay and be a regular - the more the merrier!

I went for my 16 week appointment last week and all mw did was take my blood pressure (102/64). She started to say 'I won't try and hear the hb as it's still early and...' but I cut her off to say that the midwife found it straight away when I was 9+6 so she said hop up on the bed and listened in. Was there straight away again. Of course, I didn't mention to her that I have a hi bebe at home and listen in myself periodically when I want a little reassurance (after waking up from a terrible nightmare last week I felt 'off' so it was wonderful to hear my little 160bpm galloping horse baby hb). But that was it - she didn't even weigh me! (again, I've kept an eye myself and know Ive only gained 2lbs total so far). I reckon they're much more hands off when it's not your first... is it your first?

EmLouT just re-read your post and you do have a dc already... so pretend I didn't ask that, hmmkay?

Walnut = happy birthday.. go on how old are you?

PandP sorry to hear about your fall. I had SPD last pregnancy and it started a few weeks ago with this one. If it is any reassurance it has since resolved and I'm only sore if I overdo it.

Manda - only 2LBs - I'm jealous. I've put on a stone

Happy birthday Walnut! Cupcakes sound lush. I'd be jealous were it not for the fact that I have just bought a copy of the Hummingbird Bakery's cookbook: cupcakes, brownies, cheesecakes and puds galore

IWonka - was it you who was saying that you were having problems finding summer maternity clothes? Blooming Marvellous might be worth a look if you have one near you. The one near me is currently stocking mostly summer clothes and all on sale.

Hello everyone,
Hope you are all doing OK. I've just remembered to update the list with my new and improved EDD. It's in April but as I already know I'm going to be having an elective caesarian at 39 weeks (2 previous emergency ones so the obstetrician can take the hint) so I'll still be having the baby in March.
Regarding everone's comments about midwife appointments - it does seem a little odd to see you but not check urine or do much else. When it comes to second pregnancies, there is usually quite a big gap between appointments in the middle, but here (Bristol) you see a midwife at your 20 week scan so the gap is only 8 weeks. There is a plan of when your appointments should be in the maternity notes here so you know what you should get. They have to see you at the 20 week scan so you can get your MAT B1 form for work, otherwise you'd be too late to get it in. I suppose they'd see you more often if they had any concerns. Our local midwives buck the general trend and are nice so I'm sure they wouldn't mind you seeing them more frequently if you were worried.
I'm very jealous of everyone beginning to feel the baby moving - I'm only at 13 weeks so there is a way to go. Hope all are doing well. Good luck with your 20 week scans.

Becky7000 15 February #4
Smac 25 February #2
DrSkid 22nd February #3
pureeandpearls 26 February #2
Tigresswoods 2 March #1
Donttrythisathome EDD 1 March #1
Potpourri 1 March #4
onlyanauntie 1 March #1
369thegoosedrankwine 1 March #2
MissieMoosMummy 1 March #2
cyphercat EDD 2 March #2
Caitni EDD 2 March #1
Horsiemummy 2 March #2
Oscarsmumm 2 March #2
Pipsonhisway 2 March #1
sarahmikeharryandrosie 3 March #3
BlueyDragon 3 March #2
TakeLovingChances 5 March #1
hecklephone 5 March #2
Dalrymps 6 March #2
Scooby26 6 March #1
Iwonka 6 March #1
Twofalls 7 March #2
Carrie2010 7 March #1
MandaHugNKiss 7 March #3
BYM 5 March #2
ilgb 9 March #2
Sariska 9 March #2
rebeccacad 9 March #1
therubyslippers 9 March #1
Summer2010 10 March #1
Anya4 11 March #4
wilkos 11 March #2
Lemonadegirl 11 March #2
PacificDogwood 11 March #4
BulletProofMum 11 March #3
itwascertainlyasurprise 11 March #1
Minicooper 11 March #2
Josie22 12 March #1
Swingsofglory 12 March #2
Vixie123 13 March #1
Walnut8 13 March #1
slackrunner 14 March #2
Poppyjen 15 March #1
Annamama 15 March #2
Retromum 15 March #2
Childofthe80s 16 March #1
mmtwgr 16 March #2
Scootergrrrl 17 March (??) #3
SleepWhenImDead 18 March #2
PixieOnaLeaf 18 March #4&#5
Kay1980 18 March #2
designerbaby 19 March #2
Luckysalem 22 March #2
Veryworriedme 22 March #1
Betterbitofbutter 23 March #2
Easydoesit 24 march #2
Rindercella 24 March #2
Arcadie 26 March #3
Fleximum 2 April #3

Thanx for the birthday wishes everyone! I'm 29 today by the way.

puree just reread your post about falling down the stairs! How terrifying. I have some sort of phobia about stairs at the moment as I'm up and down stairs (including tube) all day and totally paranoid I'll fall. I hope you're okay.

Iwonka enjoy Greece! Topshop had some nice sleeveless maternity tops and dresses when I was in there last week if you're after that sort of thing.

BPM I've also put on (at least) a stone! Sigh. Husband was shocked when I told him so I'm hoping that means I don't LOOK like I've put on that much. Fat chance (excuse the pun).

Hello ladies, I'd like to join the unimpressesed-with-my-midwife group, please! Had my 16wk appointment today - v v brief, tho she did find the heartbeat which was nice. She, however, refuses to change my due date - they changed it to a week earlier after the scan - which agreed with my own dates. She, however, says she'll be sticking to her dates as 'these sonographers think they're god.' She also calculated my BMI at my booking in app and said I'd have to have a glucose test as my BMI was quite high - but I realised afterwards that I'd told her the wrong pre-pregnancy weight, so I corrected it today, only to be told that half a stone would make no difference to my BMI. Again,

Sorry, self obsessed post, but left feeling rather disgruntled. And I don't another app til 28 wks either!!!

Crikey this thread moves fast. Congrats walnut on your birthday, you're still a spring chicken by my standards.

becky great to hear you're expecting a boy, how brilliant x

Has anyone started buying baby stuff yet (prams etc)? Or will you wait for the January sales?

Happy birthday, walnut! Hope you have/had a great day .

becky, boys are fab (as you of course know), congratulations! You also already have a girl in place, so to speak... as I am expecting DS4, but hey, NOOOO pink in this house ever , yeah!!

mumbot, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, as I have everything in triplicate

Becky - so exciting to know what it is, wow 3 boys... and 4 for Pacific... OMG.

Welcome back EmLou! Hmm, the midwife should have checked your urine and listened to the heartbeat really, seems that a lot of people are having issues with midwifes, see recent posts! I haven't really felt the baby move yet except maybe one, don't worry... soon enough you'll be wishing for some peace and quiet!

Walnut - hope you had a nice birthday!

Pacific - hope you get good use of your parents!

Me and DD are going to Sweden tomorrow for a long weekend! It will be really nice to see my family and to talk swedish only for 5 days. Only problem is my passport is falling apart, I have fixed it with superglue, so fingers crossed that they'll let me in one more time... I will still check mumsnet a few times while I'm away, otherwise there will be like 1000 posts to catch up on.

New thread title, hmm, will have think about it more urgently soon. What happens at 1000 posts, does the thread automatically get closed?

Oh and the bad news is I'm coughing sooo much, thought it was just a cold but I'm starting to think I have the dreaded swine flu. One of the symptoms is sudden cough and that's exactly what I got. I'm not THAT ill but some people get it quite mildly apparently and I don't usually get very ill. Pelvic floor is not coping too great, I'm bloody fed up! Anyone tried one of those exercise things you put in there? After the birth I will get fit... EVERYWHERE!

I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby gear at all, I will not be buying any baby

I have everything too!

However I said I would not be buying maternity gear and had a little splurge on Mamas and Papas....

BTW - eBay is a great place for maternity gear. I love Formes but it is far to expensive for me to buy new but I now have a really rather nice maternity wardrobe.