Due March 2010 - we're halfway there!

[annamama]

... this is a new thread following on from the last one, welcome oldies & newbies ...

well said db

i too was told my first was going to be a big baby he was delivered at 37+2 weighing a tiny 5lb8!!!!! they gave me growth scans with dd at 28 and 32 weeks and i also had a scan to check fluid at 37 weeks she was born weighing 7lb 12.5- again they though she would be big!!!!this time round again i will have the extra scans to keep an eye on baby etc-

don't worry too much the scans are not always right, as db says look after yourself and eat well, your baby will be fine xxxxxx lots of love xxxx

i have my 25 weeks appt tomorrow with mw- hopefully she will give me the forms to claim my 190 grant we are all entitled to!!!!that should then by the last few things needed and pay for xmas groceries!!!!LOL

hope everyone is well and taking care of themselves,

Hi, EmLouT, sorry you have more serious things to worry about than stretch marks. Pregnancy is worrying enough without being told there is potential reason to worry.

There is a small but significant difference between IUGR and "small for gestational age" which you may have been told about? IUGR suggests that the placenta may not be working as well as ideal, the babies' heads are often proportionately more normal in size than their bodies (brain gets food before other less important bits do) and these babies often have very impressive catch-up growth once born (hence above mentioned giant of a sound systems rigger ). The trick for those looking after you is going to be to decide when the baby is better off outside you rather than inside. If it is IUGR, that is.

If is is simple SGA then placental function as measured by blood flow etc is normal, baby is in proportion as as above so well said "you just make them small" (but perfectly formed) .

It is absolutely right that you get monitored regularly.
And I know you will worry, who wouldn't? But the fact is, there is every chance your baby and you are going to be fine.

Gawd, that was loooong again. Sorry. HTH a bit.

I am off to have my dinner, then some more yummy-yummy antibiotic .

EmLouT sorry to hear you are measuring small but at least you are being closely monitored.
manda I posted on your Group B post as I only found out I was + a good few days after delivery.
pacific sorry to hear you are under the weather again. I am feeling utterly crap too and can't shift this cold, my sinuses are blocked and my head feels like it will explode. Fortunately DD is on the mend so the broken nights are over - well I'm still awake a lot but not due to DD.
I phoned for my maternity allowance form today as I'm self employed. Don't know if anyone else is but you can apply once you reach 26 weeks. I'm not seeing my MW again til 28 weeks so will have to get MAT1B form and the new grant form when I see her next.
Anyone else getting leg cramps in the night? I keep waking in the night and my instinct is to stretch out my legs and point my toes but that makes the cramps much worse. Any tips?

Smac I'm also self-employed and will be claiming maternity allowance in 3 weeks time. If you feel like it, remember that you can work for 10 days during your leave (Keep In Touch - KIT days). This should help your coffers. I've decided to take most of the 39 weeks worth that the gov offer. I usually have a busy October with work, so I've counted back 39 weeks from October, which means I start maternity leave early Jan! Seems really early.

Have my swine flu jab this afternoon.

Morning all
Catching up after a couple days work. Glad all more or less ok - emlou i feel for you, hope some of the responses you've had are enough to put you at a bit more ease. Try to enjoy these next few weeks - you are in good hands by the sounds of it. It's so horrible to have extra worries at this stage xx
smac yes to leg cramps, started getting them v early on this time and remember them from last time too. Best to get into the habit (easier said than done) of stretching with your foot at right angles, ie not pointy toes, when you wake. Still sometimes happens even then. I'm sure you know this already but i find the best way of stopping cramp is to stand up, put your toes against a skirting board/chest of drawers/ and stretch the foot that way. really not the best way to describe it but hope it makes sense. the number of times I've shot out of bed screaming CRAMP at poor sleeping DH.....
DD in super cute mode today - my brother looked after her yesterday and it was something of a PooGate for him, still, she's happier today!! nothing like a good Poo to sort you out

Oh and I was going to ask about SPD etc..anyone else's hips making awful creaking noises? Seems a bit early to be doing this but still. I've dug out my severnbarrage long pillow and am using that for sleeping but the pain at the very top inside of my left leg is horrible...any tips? is it just ligaments stretching etc etc? Not sure I can be bothered to go to a professional (no offence profs amongst you), all they seem to tell you is that "pregnancy can do these sorts of things"
Btw Pacific any news on your white blood cells count etc? Seeing as you are indeed on month 2 of annoying coughs and colds? Poor you. And everyone else with sniffles.

My aaaaaarrrrrmmmmmm huuuuuurrrrrttttttssssss.

Morning all, thanks for all the encouraging posts - am trying to be positive - it's just hard because I know that the blood pressure in the placenta is so high it is off the scale which makes growing a very tough job for the baby. Am 25 weeks on Friday and every day he stays inside me and does some growing is a day closer to a good outcome. I just wish I could give up work and get some more rest - that would help. - Anyway sorry for bleating - it has been great to talk about it.

Hope you are all well! Have good days!

Morning ladies

EmLouT so sorry to hear about what you're going through - it must be so hard not to worry. Taking it a day at a time is a good idea - as you say, every day counts at this stage and you're being monitored well. A MN friend had twin boys 4.5 months ago and they were worried about IUGR for one twin so she had lots of growth scans and ended up with a planned section at 35 weeks. While the smaller twin was much smaller than his brother at birth, he's been playing catch up very well. Perhaps you could get signed off sick for a couple of weeks?

Arcadie my arm's also sore post-jab yesterday, but not as badly as some reactions I've had to seasonal flu injections in the past. The nurse told me I should have had a letter so was quite glad I had shown up off my own bat!

Smac also get leg cramps at night - it's a horrible way to wake up! MummyElk's tips on stretching are good.

Hope everyone else is well

Naming politics - yes, we had a bit of that last time round, itwascertainlyasurprise. We wanted a name that worked as an English, Arabic, Christian and Muslim name. Luckily we found one that we loved that seemed to fit those criteria: it is an Old Testament name that has an Islamic variant. I was adamant that we shouldn't tell anyone our choice of name before the birth (our baby, our right to name him etc) even though DH wanted to run it past his mother. I'm glad we didn't do so; I think people are less likely to criticise once a name is attached to an actual baby. No-one has criticised my DS's name, PILs are perfectly happy using the Arabic version and DS responds to both variations. Think we might have a trickier job this time. We're expecting a girl and our chosen name does not have an Arabic equivalent although it is a derivative of a male name that does IYSWIM. Anyway, we are sticking to our line that it's our baby and so we get to name her.

EmLouT, I have a vague recollection that you're a teacher (apologies if I've muddled you up with someone else) and so presumably you can't take holiday whenever you like - so, as Caitni suggested, is it not possible to get a couple of weeks signed off sick? Anyway, whatever you do, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Yep, had my first night cramp in my calf last week. Woke up yelping in pain. Am hoping that my high intake of marmite and bananas will help stave off any more. (Am working on the vague and quite possibly incorrect assumption that blood sodium and potassium levels have something to do with it.)

IWCAS The jab itself didn't hurt - so far no nasty symptoms but my arm is quite sore - as they said it would be. Just feels bruised. Still go for it if you were going to anyway but don't help any friends strip wallpaper a couple of hours later like I did...

And as far as naming politics go I've always had the policy of DON'T TELL ANYONE. If we'd fessed up to my very irreligious parents that we were calling DS (their first grandchild) by a reasonably obscure old testament name I think they'd have flipped out. Faced with the "here's your grandson" though, there's not much they can do! I think you're being very generous letting little IWCAS have XP's surname. To my mind neither he nor they get any say in first names....

Sariska - would love to be signed off sick but feel really bad for the kids who have their 11+ exams at the beginning of Jan and a change of teacher at this stage would be disasterous for them (being primary age I am their one and only maths / English teacher). I'll just have to get DH to take the load off a bit more at the weekends.

PixieLeaf 'Actually, I did wonder, though, whether pregnancy was easier if you were medically trained, or you worried more because you knew all the possible complications?'

• Without setting up a double-blind randomised controlled trial, we may, unfortunately, never know the answer to that. Not enough twin female babies out there to raise under identical conditions, one as a GP, one not, etc, etc.

EmLouT sorry to hear you are worried at the minute. Take it easy if you can and be nice to yourself. Some babies grow at different rates, so your LO might well catch up soon.

As for naming politics oh yes, I've had those! Have posted about it before, but on a few different threads

My parents don't like the girls name we've chosen (it's Juliet) my dad doesn't say much about it, but everytime I see my mum she asks me if I'm still thinking of using that name, then makes a horrible face when I say yes we are! Really annoys me!!!!!

It's a lovely name (in our opinion anyway) and I really don't what wtf her problem is!

We don't even know if the baby is a girl or a boy, so this potential headache may not even turn into anything in the future. Lucky for me they like the boys name we've chosen.

Just checking - those of you who are on the facebook group.... has it disappeared off your profile as well or is it just a glitch?

TLC - I love the name Juliet and it was on the top of my list for if this one was a girl - seing as it's a boy Juliet would be a bit daft so we have settled on Patrick. Ignore what people think about names - My parents hated Timothy (DS1's name) and now they can't imagine him being called anything else.

emlout it's very noble of you to want to carry on at work for the sake of the children in your class but you really must look after yourself. I know everyone likes to think they're irreplacable but in reality very few of us actually are. They replaced me within minutes at my work - sigh. Can you talk to your head teacher about taking some of the load off you at all?

Naming Issues - oh yes. Very much so. All DH's family hated our choice for a boy last time round, to the extent that my MIL called him up at work and begged him not to use the name. Grrrr.

This time round everyone seems to be coming up with 'helpful' suggestions. Unfortunately this winds DH up to the extent that he then doesn't want to use a name that anyone in the family has suggested. The list is getting smaller by the minute!

Stick to your guns, TLC. Although as I'm fluent in the phonetic alphabet (I was a prison officer for 15months) the weird ocd-like tendancies in me make me continue the alphabet from Juliet when I think 'Juliet'! However, I'm Quite Odd and I'm sure this won't be a problem for anyone else in your potential daughters life (more likely, people will hope she finds her Romeo ). I do think it's lovely, depsite how it sets my brain off on a quirky tangent.

AH, I think that's me caught up - I'm pretty much in a funk still over a few things (not least my rubbish birthday on sunday - I'm very much in denial I'm officially 36 now. Officaily nearer to 40 than 30...). But it's DS's 12th birthday today, hence I'm making an effort to 'cheer up' a bit and found myself here. Ooh, thinking back, I wasn't even labour yet (4.15pm I got my first twinge) but he was born at 5.54pm. I always try to think of the moment of their births when the time comes around.

DD is also having an 'exciting' day at channel four - she was invited as part of a chance to get her work experience there. Let's hope she makes a good impression as it'll be a good experience for her.

EmLouT I'll just chime in to say it sounds like you're getting the best care, that db is Right (Also, I do feel getting some time for you to properly relax - so to perhaps take some time off sick from work - would be sensible (if not ideal)) and that you absolutely should continue to vent here.

pacific wishing you and yours are all fit as fiddles immediately, if not before. I've been through times when I seem to catch one thing after another, and another - it's very wearing at the 'best' of times, let alone during pregnancy

No nursery issues for me, hurrah! For the first year+ I have my babies bedside, in their cots (at first with the side always down so the cot kinda becomes an extension of my bed) as I find the co-sleeping is least disruptive to the household and I get more rest too (I don't have to get up/walk about/turn lights on/risk stumbling/stubbing a toe the in sleep deprived shuffle to the nursey/screaming baby...infact, the baby very rarely even gets as far as screaming/crying as I awake at their whimpers and are feeding them before they get going) by pulling them across the gap to breastfeed whilst I lay in bed (this was particualrly wonderful with DS who was born in november - cold, cold nights!).

I went to book club last night despite only reading half of the book, and with the food theme (we all bring a dish) being french there were all kinds of wonderful cheese things off limits to me pouts gorgeous creme brule though... which I then fretted a tiny bit about wondering if it had raw egg in it. Literally a nano-second of worrying as I cracked another part of the caramelsed sugar

arcadie sorry you've got a sore arm but, silly lady, who strips other peoples walls when pregnant let alone when you've just had a intra-muscular injection?! (ok, I'm assuming intramuscular, or else why would it be so sore?). Eh, it totally sounds like something I'd do... usually it's not even an issue of 'I can't say no' but more that I think I'm perfectly able. And I usually am, as I'm sure you are.

smac Thanks for adding our story to the GBS thread... I'm still kinda blue over it all, but most likely because I have other issues going on rather than truly mourning. nd, oodness, pointing your toes (or 'crunching' them up makes things MUCH worse! As advised, you need to pull your toes/feet towards your head. You can do this against something if you're unable to bend like that now, but a DH/DP is very good for this if he'll do it for you

Lol, ICWAS! Come on, everybody knows tiny babies are vote winners... especially if a politician can be photographed kissing one that doesn't belong to them. You really ought to offer up your PFB for the cause!

Re: your ex, it doesn't surprise me he's failed to communicate with his 'rents - particularly if you carried him that respect before. That this child will bear 'his' name (and in the old fashioned sense, 'carry it on') is a great honour indeed (more so for the GP's, I suspect) and so you really don't need to fret about the christian names. Let that be your domain, chosen with relevance and meaning to you/your family. It's only 'fair'!

shroomer LOL! Hey, I bet if you were to turn it into a reality tv programme, and advertised whereever it is that Big Brother does for contestants... you'd be over-run with candiates! I can imaine there are plenty of people who would be prepared to go through ivf an have two embros put back just for the chance of their fifteen minutes of fame. Kinda like a bastardised version of Seven Up where you engineer the outcome of at least one of the twins rather than simpy observing. Oooh, I should be a producer - this idea has legs, I know it :p

Whoops, the second post from me should have been first, and the first should have been on the end of the second... got that? Good!

Pregnancy brain IS a very real condition.

Having a bit of a rubbish day here and need some advice I'm afraid!

The baby wasn't hugely active this morning but I didn't think much of it. Then, at 2pm ish I realised I was bleeding - very lightly and brown blood.

So we've not had sex in a week, so it can't be from that. I've spoken to my midwife, who advised putting a pad on and waiting it out - checking movements as I wait. Thing is, I've not felt any movements since about 11.30am (I'm currently chugging a can of ice cold coke to try and help things along).

I just sobbed on the phone to my husband - mortifying considering how open plan this place is - and am in a real dilemma. Should I just go to the hospital and get it checked? WWYD in this case?

Really don't know if I'm just being paranoid or what...

And have the most useless meeting of my week in ten minutes...

Yes, go to hospital and get it checked out. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about (brown blood usually equals old blood and babies do have quiet days) but waiting and worrying isn't going to help you. Skip the meeting, call your hospital's maternity unit and go. Go now. And get someone -dh pref- to meet you. Hopefully a trace of the baby's heartbeat should reassure you. Thinking of you and .

Caitni - def with Sariska - go get it checked out - no point in worrying. I'm sure all will be fine but putting your mind at rest can only be a good thing and will be much better for you and the baby (who can feel your stress!)

Hi all, this thread is so busy and there's so much interesting/funny/silly to read, I don't know what I would do without it... My dad is still here but he's having a rest and so is DD, so I have some time for MN. We went to Ikea yesterday, it was a fun day out, DD loves "shopping" and was running around like a maniac. I bought the simple plastic highchair for £15, it's so much better than our expensive chicco, she can't sit up properly in that one. Sometimes simple is best! Also bought some more toys and another duvet/pillow cover for her. Been going a bit crazy lately when it comes to spending money, I guess I think I'm allowed to as I've been so lonely! I will claim Maternity allowance too soon, as I was working within the last year or whatever the rule is. And bring on the £190 health in maternity, surely that means mental health too = retail therapy. Oh and also bought green glass vase and orange fake flower as birthday present for absent DH (£3). They are his favourite colours though and it's the thought that counts.

Swings - re the potty training, I'm sure there's loads of threads on that (I haven't looked yet as I'm not seriously trying at this point). But I've read in my toddler book that it's best to let them run around without a nappy on, therefore it's easier in the summer and if you have a garden... Maybe now our DDs just think it's too cold to take their warm nappies off!

BPM good luck with offers! Yes I hope some luck rubs off on us, thanks Caitni. Hate to be a pessimist but never count on anything until completion. We've just had the sale of a flat we own fall through (bad investment that was!), I hate property, wanna go and live in a tent if we ever sell our house.

Shroomer - a bit sad about your mum, but some people are just like that and you can't change them. I hope your own childhood wasn't too bad!

IWCAS - so cool asking for a seat, you go girl! And Caitni - you know how it's done, sticking your bump out and putting on tired face... I also used to get a seat on tube/bus when I was working in London and pg.

EmLou - Oh it must be awful to have such a big worry, but great that you are being monitored. I have to agree with Swings, you have to put yourself before the kids at school! Get signed off and get lots of rest. If you can't do that get as much rest as you can... We all have our fingers crossed for you and your LO!

I like the idea about cot with no side next to bed... but I think we'll stick to moses basket at the foot of bed.

Lots of you having swine flu jabs - hope your arms will be back to normal soon! Me no still. I know this might turn out to be a "wrong" decision but that's life.

Anyone else thirsty all the time, especially in the night? I'll mention it to the MW next time in case it's diabetes or something.

Sariska - your name for your DS sounds very clever! If you both like your girls name, that's all that matters as long as it's not too hard to pronounce or anything. Here, we need names that can be easily pronounced in Sweden too, which excludes quite a few english names. I like "international" names that are common in many countries. DD is Ellie which is perhaps not that international but at least very easy to say. Top of list for DD2 is Isabelle (maybe nickname Issy), common I know but I don't like any other name more so far.

TLC - Juliet is lovely and not "weird" or anything... they'll get used to it!

Manda - happy belated b-day! I'm 36 too, will be 37 around due date... it's not that old, surely...(?) At least you've got older kids so you have more "right" to be approaching 40 than I have!

I have no leg cramps but I eat a banana every morning sliced on my porridge!

Oh Caitni - I just read your post, hope you're ok! Yes go get it checked, just in case, let us know how it goes!