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 ...

Oh and I want to give a thumbs up for my team of MWs who not only have acknowledged my request for a debrief on DDs birth but the MW who came to see me on Monday night with the triple test news said 'I'm not on call tonight so my phone will be off but if you call it goes through to the ward and if you explain who you are they will give you my home number and call me even if it's 1am and you need to talk'. That is well above the care I was expecting. Needless to say I didn't bother her at 1am but it was kind of her to offer.
I have a scan at 20w and a mw appointment the following week, 4 weeks after my last mw appointment. I can't believe that you should be left 8 weeks between checks that sounds really shoddy to me.

IWCAS how awful for you! I think Mandas advice was brllliant.

I'm another one planning a homebirth, though will play it by ear. I read "Birthing from Within" on a friend's recommendation and even though it's a bit American and hippyish (no offence anyone....) in places it's really good.
Will try Ina May's too.

Just back from aqua antenatal class...was hilarious...the teacher was very "Cath and Kim".

Evening! Mainly on to have a quick rant about something very petty.

Just at bus stop on way home from dinner with DH.

2 ladies at bus stop with todlers in prams. ONe says 'ooo how far along are you' and I say '18 weeks'. They both reel, double take, put their hands to mouth and say 'oh my god, are you sure, have you had a scan, is it twins etc'.

I smile and laugh and say no 'must just be one giant baby', but they keep going on about how they didn't show till 7 months etc.

I now feel like a bit of a freak. TBH had been thinking my bump was suddenly massive - but I've stayed my normal size everywhere else (10/12 at 5 foot 8) so had thought maybe it was partly a proportion thing. Now worried am having the world's largest child.

DH thinks am being silly (well I am being silly) and is more upset that they pointed at him and said 'is it his baby then?'!!!! Tee hee.

Anyway, rant over.

PIxie will give you an update after I see the homebirth midwife, but I think you can give birth where you want as long as the midwife says it's safe. Not sure what they'd say to twins, but you can always ask!

Donttry will check that book out too - am becoming a birth geek!(may need to for my GIANT baby).

rebecca - I;'m huge too. I've been in mat clothese since 8 weeks. There is a woman at work due in a month and her bump is small er than mine!

I get the sure it's not twins comment all the time too.

Homebirth also not for me. Too much mess! Also I like the reassurance that the theatre is close by (having had one emergency CS and into the theater the second time for ventouse) both brith would have resulted in an ambulance transfer.

Each to their own though!

rebecca I look massive too and have also been in mat clothes from the same time as BPMom

I went to playgroup yesterday and all the women said I had doubled in size in a week. YOu are not alone Rebecca: No-one believes that I am not due till March. I'm thinking of getting a t-shirt printed from nappyhead that says "No, it's not twins". (FWIW I got two from them last pregnancy- you can design your own so I got one that said "Wide load" and one that said "I ate all the pies"....)

I too am a hospital birth person:

1. I don't do pain.
2. Dh would have a heart attack if I had a baby in our sitting room
3. SPD experience from last time involved early induction because I could no longer walk and an epidural right at the beginning (cannot recommened that bit enough!) and likelihood is that it will go that way this time too.

IWCAS- best advice already covered but I shall do (((hugs)))

Morning all- off to the beach today (whilst I can still walk!)

Just seen midwife (with my 2 LOs in tow.... ) and have a homebirth booked. Had one booked for last time but needed inducing. Don't hold out a lot of hope for this time either.

She looked knowingly as I walked in and said "aaaaah I knew I'd see you again" ... Quite how I don't know cos up until 2 weeks before conception we had NO intention of doing it again!!!

hi girls!
I am here, just lurking as we get ready to go to Canada tomorrow for a couple of weeks!
Felt the baby move yesterday at 17+4 which made my day.

I am huge too. Was able to sit happily on the tube this morning with my big bump stuck out. However, I can also see that my abdomen is starting to separate already, not really sure what to do about it, but trying not to make it worse! Anyone got any tips?

I am another one for hospital. After my transfer from the birth centre last time, I'm starting out where I may need to end up. Still want to have as hands-free labour as possible, but will def be in the labour ward.

Have a great couple of weeks and see you all when we get back!

hi all,

just had my 20 week scan and I'm having a(nother)..... BOY!!

Both DH and I were slightly disappointed (terrible I know) as we had got it into our heads that it would be better for DS to be the only boy because he will be the middle child. But now he will have a little brother close in age who will hopefully be a great playmate so I'm sure he'll be fine.

But OMG Two boys - what sort of state is my hosue going to be in?!

Waiting for pixie to come and tell us her news now...

IWCAS - glad you are feeling more positive today. Like the others I was completely shocked at the things your ex said to you and I'm sure you will surprise yourself at how strong you can be without him.

Another one here planning to head to hospital for the birth, but all being well I'd like to use the midwife-led centre they've got there. They didn't have it last time I gave birth so quite keen to see all the new facilities - including the birthing pool. Was very keen for a water birth last time because I'd heard such good things about it, but DD was very overdue so I couldn't go to the nearest unit which had a pool (about 20 miles away) so never got to give it a go. I'm not particularly a water baby, but as I say, most people that have had a water birth seem to think it's the best thing ever, and as I've said before - if anything will make this labour easier than last time, I'm willing to give it a try! Heck, if someone told me standing out my head and singing the national anthem would do the trick I'd do it!!

IWCAS also glad to hear you're in a better frame of mind today. I couldn't really add anything to the wonderful words of support already handed out, except to say I have a good friend who was in a very similar situation to you and she's doing great. She's been a single mum since before her son was born and although she says it's not what she would have chosen for herself, and it has been tough, she wouldn't change anything and loves her son to bits. She's such a strong woman and an inspiration and it sounds like you've got the same kind of strength and wisdom to make the right decisions for you and your DC.

Hope everyone's having a happy Friday already - we're off to Northern Ireland tomorrow to stay with my parents for a week - yay!

Have a great stay in Canada ilove and anyone else who's planning a trip in the next few days (sure there was someone else but can't remember who [hmmm])

Now, let's see what I can get done round the house in between checking MN every 5 mins to see if Pixie's checked in with her news yet...

IWonka - yes, FWIW, I'm happy to share my experience of water in labour. Before I went into labour I wasn't certain I'd want to use the birthing pool, just as I also wasn't certain whether I would want the TENS machine, gas & air or pethidine. What I did feel, almost instinctively, I think, was that I wanted to be somewhere I felt private and safe and would not face unwarranted interference. That was why I chose a birthing centre. When I went in there, I'd already been in labour for 19 hours. Some of that must have been the latent phase but, whatever it was, my contractions had been at least every 10 minutes and I'd walked through each one, eventually with the help of the TENS. Somehow I just couldn't stay still, couldn't sleep through the early ones and didn't have long to rest between them. I also found I couldn't face eating (which turned out to be a problem later on). So, long and short of it was that I was pretty tired by the time the contractions went to one every two or three minutes, which was when I'd been told to go in.

The midwife almost immediately suggested the birthing pool and although I remember feeling slightly skeptical that it would help, I let her fill it and got in. And, my god! The relief! Not from the pain (I'm afraid) but from the endless weary walking and the ache in my legs and my back. The best analogy I can think of - and sorry if it sounds a bit naff - is that it was like entering a warm tropical sea and just floating there. I'm going to use the word "safe" again - because that's how I felt. Sure, I still shifted around in pain and moaned or even howled my way through each contraction but just being in the water helped so much.

After I'd been in there about four hours the midwife thought I was approaching transition. But then the contactions began to tail off, becoming less frequent, less intense and shorter. I got out of the pool, was examined and found to be nigh-on 10cm dilated with just a lip of cervix over the baby's head. It seemed he had moved position - probably back-to-back, although no-one was sure. Once again it was back to walking, walking, walking (oh, and sitting on the loo in strange positions) in an attempt to get him to move and restart my contractions. I was also persuaded to eat a couple of pieces of chocolate. Nothing worked. They tried to move the lip of cervix manually but no joy. Talk of the hospital began. Then my waters went. They were clear at first but shortly afterwards there was meconium staining. More talk of the hospital. Then the midwives decided that the baby's heartrate was not recovering well after each (mild and sporadicly spaced) contraction. The ambulance arrived.

Although I ended up at hospital on a hormone drip to restart my contractions and another to raise my very low blood sugar levels, I was lucky - and the registrar who told me that it would end in a surgical delivery in theatre was wrong. I pushed him out myself unaided. But I don't think I'd have been able to do that without that quiet, relatively restful time in the water. I might be talking rubbish and the water may have had no physical effect on what happened at all - but it sure as eggs is eggs it had a very positive psychological effect. And that's why I want the chance to labour in water again - and, cross fingers, actually give birth there too.

Sorry that was so long but - for anyone still reading! - I hope it was helpful.

I laboured in the water pool for a couple of hours with DS2 - it was lovely.

I was keen to give birth there but was soon screaming for more pain relief ...

Good luck pixie, cant wait to hear from you, xxx

drskid fantastic another boy to add to our list, comeone ladies we need some pink!!!!(i think mine is a girl will find out on the 14th cannot wait)

icwas glad to hear your feeling better today glads we have been of some help to you, keep strong and hope your letter goes to plan for you ex-

ilove have a fab time in canada- i am so very

sariska lovely to read your birth story, ws nice to read of your experience and i am glad you managed to deliver naturally

rebecca i am bigger this time too, people always feel they can comment and have an opinion about pregnant women, its so frustrating!!!!! i hate people stroking my bump and make sure i tell them so- my MIL stil does it now i am on 3rd pregnancy and am very rude about it but she takes no notice!!!! arghhhhhhh

purenadpearls have a fab time at the beach!!!!!!

arcadia lol at ur midwife- my midwife said the same to me when i had my booking appt!!!! i too was not planning a third!!!!lol

hope i remebered everyone too!!!

i would love a home birth, had one booked with DD but my bp went up at the end and they said they would prefer me to go in,

she was very quick and i arrived by ambulance was there about 30 mins and she was born!!!! i had no problems nor did she was gutted i didn't get a homebirth but none of that mattered once she entered the world!!!! i will see how it goes this time and make no definate plans what will be will be.

my reasons for a HB is DS was quick 1hr56 mins, was at hospital for 22 mins!!! no pain relief and it was fab!!!!!

Again with DD just gas and air and it was good,

will see what happens i live 5 mins away from hospital too which is good, xxx

sorry for huge post, xxxxxx

Dear all

thanks to all of you for your big bump reassurance. I'm trying to revel in having my bump and not give two figs about what those women said. It is my first, so I wasn't expecting the tum to expand so quickly, but as my DH said - hopefully it means it's a lovely, bonny healthy baby!

Pixie hope you've had a lovely scan and the babies were being cooperative!

Congrats on your boy Drskid !

ICWAS I seriously cant believe those awful comments. Like someone else said, some people do and say strange things when they feel defensive/guilty/cornered/out-of-control. In any case, you are definitely not being unreasonable or over sensitive for feeling the way you do or needing space from him! I hope the letter writing goes well.

Does anyone else feel slightly crazy at the moment? I'm having these huge hormonal mood swings. I have been having it out with complete strangers who have for some (any) reason irritated me - especially on the tube - which is something I would never usually do and just then had a full on psycho-preggo yell at a tradesman who invaded my privacy. Then I felt terrible and had to apologise and started crying.

walnut you are totally not on your own!!!!my moods are horendous!!!!!!! (sp)

And rebeccacad I would revel in having an actual pregnant-looking bump. I may look a little less crazy then. Or at least have a visible excuse for being crazy! My mum told me I still just look like I've had too much to eat.

Thanx smhar !!!

I'm 4 and half months pregnant, and some people I speak to on a regular basis still haven't twigged on that I'm pregnant! Not sure whether to be or

Whereas others (such as my mum) keep saying how big my bump is getting!

I'm still wearing my normal clothes, only have one or 2 maternity things in wardrobe.

I went out for the first time today and bought a few things for the baby So happy to be buying cute clothes for MY OWN baby! Have made a list of things I will need and things baby will need, and have now started the process of buying things. Yay!

TLC waves at all the other lovely March 2010 ladies and hopes you all are happy and healthy

Can't wait to hear back about Pixie's twins!!!!

Pixie Come on woman. Post Post Post.....

Yay pixie ! Twin girls!!! How cute. And you've just upped (started?) the girl tally for March, good job.

You have made me very jealous of that linear sleepover thing. It's so expensive though - how long is it supposed to be big enough (if that makes sense!)?