Due March 2010 - we're halfway there!

[annamama]

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

I agree that amateur help can sometimes be less than no help at all when depression is involved.

I am young (will be 25 when PFB is born in March) and have an uncomplicated medical history, which the midwife said she was happy to see when I was booking in and she was going through all those questions with me.

When she got to the question about any current or previous mental health issues I told her that for 2 years when I was 16-18 I had been an outpatient in an adolescent mental health hospital. I know the reasons I was there, but I didn't feel that she needed to know, was vague and said it was due to depression (which it was, but also a few more issues). She was totally understanding, said that there could be PND when baby is born, but that it's important to be self-aware enough to be able to ask for help if needed.

I don't have depression anymore, but I can be an emotional person who dwells on things, so am a bit worried in case I get PND, but glad that I have a good support network of family. Plus I have a DH who is a G.P. and trained in spotting things like PND, also my social work training will help me spot PND in myself if it is present. Lol!

I am sending big hugs to all the emotional ladies on this thread, and those who are feeling down for whatever reason!

Definitely very un-MN hugs for everybody, even if you're feeling good!
A midwife once told me that unless you'd had very serious clinical depression, everybody has the same chances of getting it. It's really good that you know what to look out for, though, because it's so easy to slip through the net when it first starts, and then to be really bad by the time it's picked up on.

Manda, Pixie, IWCAS, TLC - thanks for sympathy and sharing your stories! That was cool when the rich boyfriend just put the cash in your account, wow!

I actually feel a lot better yesterday and today, maybe it was part jet lag as well as hormones, that is known to cause depression. I would never self harm (thank god), have been awfully depressed as a teenager but never anything like that.

The underlying reason I'm feeling down is that I don't know what's happening with my life! I'm a "housewife" / SAHM against my will really since July, we are stuck out in Kent because we can't sell our house (even at a low price) and I just couldn't do the 4 hours a day commute anymore. (I lived in North London until 2 years ago.) I hate having nothing to do! Well I love being with DD but I need "mental stimulation", getting out of the house and meeting people too... And also, DH thinks he wants to move here to Florida, and I'm not sure if I like it! Everything is so weird here and it's so damn hot! And I would be so far from my family. But he's aware of how I'm feeling and we're trying to work things out so that we'll both be happy... if possible (sigh).

Hope none of us get PND! Why are hugs un-MN like? Hugs!

On a lighter note, we went out for breakfast this morning to a place called Dennny's, had big fluffy american pancakes, mmm!

American pancakes are definitely good!
Annamama, I think things generally have a habit of sorting themselves out - if you can't sell your house, then you can't go to Florida, so that's that one sorted for a bit at least!
I know what you mean about being a bored SAHM - I've been one for fourteen years now, and it did take some getting used to - it was having no work friends any more that I really found hard (and I found that the work friends that I did have weren't really my outside of work friends, because we didn't have anything to talk about other than work). The best thing I ever did was start playgroup/mothers and toddlers because there were other SAHMs there, and they knew what I was going through. It does get better when the DCs start school as well, because then you've got playground mums to be friends with. I did a gardening course when mine started school as well, and then renovated the garden, which gave me something to do! I also bribed the other SAHMs into helping me, and I made some really good friends!
I know it seems like a long time until you get to school with them now (especially since one of them isn't born yet!), but it will happen, and you will make friends, and find things to do! I don't know what I'm going to do when the twins arrive, because I won't be out there gardening!
Hugs are MN like because, apparently, that's what people do on Netmums (the rival site). I think we're supposed to be tough over here !
I know this is unpopular with a lot of people, and I don't know whether I'd let mine do it, but one of the SAHMs I knew got her daughter into modelling when she was a baby (she stopped when she started school), and that gave them both something to do, because they would go to low key shoots a couple of days a month, and it gave her something to look forward to. She also met some other mums on the shoots.

Hello all, what a lovely sunny Saturday we're having here in NE Scotland. Hope everyone else is enjoying their afternoon.

TLC - how cool that your husband knows what a hecklephone is - there aren't many people who do! I grew up in Bangor and Coleraine but my parents now live in Ballyclare so that's where we go when we visit now. I do miss NI sometimes but also really like living in Scotland and we get to go and visit quite frequently. I bet if we compared notes we'd have mutual friends! We're Christians too, which makes it even more likely we know at least half a dozen people in common! By the way, I really like your latest name suggestion - Adam. My friend called her DS Adam and it's just a really nice, easy name that's not too common. I hope your mum likes it too! (although my advice is to keep schtum with your very favourites until after the birth - they really can't argue too much when they're holding a cute little bundle of joy!)

Hugs to everyone feeling hormonal in any way - be it grumpy, weepy, depressed or romantic.

We're going for a night out tonight - my brother's 30th birthday party - so it should be fun. I just have to work out which pre-pregnancy 'going out' outfit I can still squeeeeeze into!

hecklephone I live in Glengormley, which is 6 miles from Ballyclare and I went to school in Ballyclare!!!!!! My mum lived in Bangor during her teenage years, and my granda still lives there

Wow, it is a small world! Glad to have another NI girl on this thread, was starting to think I was the only one on this entire website!

Hope Scotland is treating you well, I love Scotland, have plans to visit a friend in Aberdeen after Christmas and before Baby TLC is born.

As for the name Adam: I find it hard to not say something when I'm excited about it, so I did tell my mum that DH and I like the name Adam. I didn't say that that was our final choice for name, just that we liked it. She likes it too, so it's a win win name.

So is it Adam, TLC?
DH has taken all the DC out this afternoon, and given me strict instructions to have a rest, so I'm MNing furiously before they get back, and reclaim it for Club Penguin etc!
I think Adam is a lovely name - different, but not really different (I once knew an Otion, spelt that way as well!), and simple sounding, so he'll be able to say it! My GP is called Adam as well, and he's very good looking!
Hecklephone, the party sounds fun! I'm trying my best to look smart at one of DH's work functions next week, but am going to have to wear maternity, I think!

Pixie We're thinking Adam is a nice name, but we could well change our minds again 100 times before March, and we don't even know what sex it is!

I'm just about to go and get my glad rags on to go out tonight Going to see Pink with a few friends. I love Pink's music, and it'll be Baby TLC's first big concert! Going to see Green Day on Tuesday night, so two big concerts in one week - I got tickets for both before I found out I was pregnant.

Enjoy your evening ladies, whatever you're up to!

Yeah, t'interweb is fixed !! Apparently Virgin Broadband had disconnected us because somebody else had tried to register an account with our (postal) address !? Has anybody had this happening to them? Anyway, I am glad it is solved and DH can stop cursing at the computer trying to fix it.

Sorry to hear some of you have felt low recently, but lots of really good advice by people who have been there before. Just do not hesitate to ask for help when you feel unwell, doesn't matter whether physically or mentally/emotionally.

I have been feeling sick again, and still have really strange poos (sorry, TMI!). Basically, I feel uncomfortably full from late morning onwards, even though I am eating v little, and 1 bout of impressive diarrhea per day . In my last pregnancy I ended up a bit constipated round about now and with a rather uncomfortable pile (apologies, again), so what is all this about now?? Keep reminding myself "every pregnacy is different", but am not enjoying feeling like this. It was a glorious sunny day here today and I spent most of the day in bed...

DS3 who will be 2 when the baby will be born, got very cross today when I had DS2 (aged 5 1/2) on my lap for a cuddle and I just thought "well, mate, you better get used to mummy's lap being occupied", poor mite! BFing DS3 had been easy as DS1 and 2 were old enough to understand what I was doing and that they had had their turn , and they were capable of waiting if they needed something (mind you, thinking back, I had been known to wipe a bum whilst having babe latched on...). Sibling rivlary, don't you hate it?? Something else to look forward to.

Oh, and another vote for swaddling (with bogstandard blankets) and Grobags.

Have a nice evening and weekend, all!

Evenin All. Just driven to Manchester and back (from York) to visit a 38 week preg friend. Have read up. Love to you all. Too tired to think of anything witty.

Nighznjkzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Pixie - maybe I'll get used to being a SAHM... and I would take up gardening but we don't even have a garden! (Our house is more like a townhouse bachelor pad type thing although quite big.) If/when we sell, we will move back to London and I will look for part time, temp or contract work in the city. DH works from home so he can look after DCs (and DD goes to nursery 3 mornings a week). I would try to get DD some modelling work but need to be in London for that really. She has big eyes and corkscrew hair so maybe she would be accepted by an agency. I want to be a pushy child model mum!

NI girls - I had a fling with a guy from Bangor! He is totally weird so I won't tell you his name even if you ask me cuz you'll think I'm weird, haha. At the time I was really into him.

TLC - hope you enjoyed Pink! She seems pretty cool.

Pacific - doesn't sound like fun what you have... Could it be just a bug? Hope you get better soon!

Nite nite, it's late even over 'ere...

hello again! just reading about PND on your posts is making me feel a bit better - for the last few weeks since DH started a new contract in London Ive been uncontrollably weepy which is unusual for me - I usually cant wait for him to go away for the week so i can do my own thing. But this time it has felt so different - I assume because Im pg, and i was worrying i would never stop crying and was running the risk of PND. However DH bought me a webcam and i feel a lot better now i can see him everyso often

I had a private scan yesterday with DH (because he couldnt make the NHS one nx thursday) and squirmy Siamese would not reveal his/her face or let us see if they are pink or blue!! So im glad Im going to another on thursday - I have to find out the sex - Im so nosey!!!! But otherwise a fine healthy baby. The pictures I have brought home with me though - I have no idea what Im looking at - a stark contrast to my picture perfect 12 week scan

Then we went shopping for a nice dress for my 30th which is in 3 weeks.. couldnt find a thing in Leeds - topshop, gap, H and M.. none of them had anything I wanted, and Im worried that if I order online I wont get it in time bcause of the postal strike..

hope you guys are having a nice weekend x

Hey all.

I had a really lovely day yesterday. It was so bizarre, when we (best friend, her sister & mum) arrived at the bridal shop, we made our way to the back where our consultant was but she was still with her previous customer... who was the sister of one of our very old friends (we were like the 3 muskateers when 18/19 always out clubbing together) that we haven't seen for years! She was there too (along with her mum and her sister's best friend - our groups completely mirrored each others!) so there was lots of hugging and catching up whilst her sister signed forms etc. She couldn't believe it when I told her I was '20 weeks pregnant tomorrow' and squealed! 'Mum, look, Manda's 20 weeks pregnant - where is it? I think she's having a kitten!' Have to admit, in the morning/early afternoon I bearly look pregnant. By evening though, I seem to have more of a prominent bump. Bloating, I guess. Anyone else experiencing this phenomena?

Anyway, so they left, then Kate (best friend) tried on many dresses - none of which were 'The One', but a champagne metallic organza number was probably the closest we got - before we headed off to the pub. I should mention, I lived with Kate's family for about a year when I was 14-15 (during this time her sister went to live in Spain, and has been there ever since so I don't see her every often - it's her place we stay in when we go to Marbella) and again when I was 18-19 (a few years later her Mum and Dad also went to live in spain and although I see them more often, still not very much) so they're very much like my own family to me, I love them dearly.

Had a hot chocolate in the pub which tasted far yummier than any alcohol I've ever had when not pregnant!

Then back to Kate's to help prep the late lunch/early dinner... The three shoulders of lamb had been cooking since 8 that morning in special bag things with garlic/herbs (aka Kleftiko). She's dieting so we made a 'zero points' soup from butternut squash/red peppers/onion & vegetable stock (I discovered zero points doesn't have to mean zero taste! Have to admit, a little cream wouldn't have gone amiss ). I prepped a whole field of the potaoes to be roasted in their skins and we jointly made an absolutely HUMUNGOUS greek salad. Everyone was drinkng wine whilst we did this and then we all sat down to eat (Kates finance and two kids, an her sisters husband, and my daughter turned up too! And we plated up a dinner for Kate's nan who lives nearby that her fiance dropped off before we sat down). It was just... wonderful. We were all joking/gently taking the piss out of each other in a way that only family/good friends can do. Oh, and there was rhubarb an strawberry crumble to finish.

Was given a lift home and was in time for x factor (which I love to hate) so not out late, but it was a long, emotional day and I was Very Very Happy.

Incredibly tired today despite sleeping 12 hours...

Hope you're all having a good day?

Manda, that sounds amazing! I think that sometimes, days which aren't planned are better than days which sound fabulous when you plan them! I much prefer those days which just go 'well' to big days out IYSWIM?
We've got DD1's fifteenth birthday this week, so we've been out present shopping today - we've got her a Nintendo Wii, which all three of them have been wanting for ages, and we've also booked a Topshop Style Advisor appointment for after school on Wednesday (her birthday). Has anybody had one of these? Are they any good?
Modelling work does sound fun, Annamama! DD1 sometimes does some for ballet magazines (clothing ones, and children's ballerina magazines) - if any of the DCs wanted to have a go, I think I'd let them! Corkscrew hair and big eyes sounds like a winning combination, and my friend didn't live in London when her DD did modelling, you should give it a go!
DD2 has got an X-Ray on her leg tomorrow, hopefully she'll get a half plaster, and will be allowed to use crutches, which will make all our lives a lot easier!

what a wonderful day you had manda!!!! sounds fab!!!! so lovely when a day you look forward to turns out to be so wonderful,

Good luck with the xray tomorrow Pixie, hope your DD gets a half plaster, is def will make life easier for you all,

had a fab day here too had some old friends over and it was good to talk about the old days etc!!!! she bought me a huge bag of baby boys clothes too and they are so cute i have just sat and sorted them out and i must say i am now very excitied about our new blue addition!!!!!!!i cooked roast pork and had them in baps with stuffing and apple sauce follwed by chocolate fudge cake¬!!!!!yum, however i have head heart burn ever since!!! dc's now in bed so am going to have a bath and a cuppa then sit in front of the x-factor and try not to fall asleep!!!!heehee

Hope you have all had good weekends, good luck to anyone who has a scan over the next few days,

spk later

Oh, Manda, that sounds like a lovely day! I remember days like that with friends BC (before children) .

Good luck, Pixie, I hope your DD's XR will show the desired result.

I am just ordering this for DS4 . I am positively drowning in baby clothes, never gave anything away from previous 3 DSs, but just could not resist The Very Hungry Caterpillar, oh dear!

We are back to school tomorrow, so school uniforms are laid out, alarm clock set, oh boo. Never mind, a bit of routine will do us good again, I suppose .

Aw Pacific that's a lovely outfit, I also love the hungry caterpillar, mainly as my appetite is about the same

Had a really annoying experience in Mothercare this weekend when one of the shoppers was complaining quite loudly that they only had 'fat' sizes like size 14.

Wanted to give her a piece of my mind but wondered off angry instead.

Hope you are all OK x

HaHa, at size 14 being a fat size! , some people are just too funny!
Yes, I too feel the hungry caterpillar is a kindred spirit...

Hello Ladies!

How is everyone doing? I just came back from Greece, didn't get a chance to write before I left as I was sick as a dog and barely had energy to pack. Just wanted to check in quickly and say hello. I will read all the posts from the past two weeks!!! and catch up properly soon. (Shouldn't take me that long. )

I have my 20 week scan on Tuesday. I hope everything will go well, feeling a bit nervous after my first scan. Please cross your fingers for me.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

HI all,

Just checking in, this thread moves so fast and boots you off the I'm on bit very quicjly!

Swingsofglory, i went to see 500 weeks of summer last week! I loved it and the guy in it is so much like Heath Ledger, its scary! I'm desperate to see Up but worried as I've been told it's quite a weepy! It's a cartoon!!??

So my sleeping is horrendous just now.

Had a victory in work this week, i was removed from a training course because and I quote "I was pregnant and would be going on maternity leave". After much toing and froing and a formal grievance later I am now on said training! I know!

On my lunch from it so had better go before they have an excuse to remove me from it again!

TLC my grandad lives in Glengormley! It's so close to Ballyclare - we've probably walked past each other in Abbey Centre and not even known it! Anyone else a closet NI girl??

I'm also v intrigued by anna's ex-fling from Bangor - just how weird are we talking anna??

Had a fun night at my bro's birthday party. Managed to squeeze my tum into some skinny jeans (they're quite low-rise so the bump didn't get in the way but they did want to fall down a bit ) and a more accommodating gold tunic top. We had a lovely tapas meal with my parents and a few of his friends, although I did really crave a glass of the lovely red wine everyone else seemed to be drinking! (did manage a bite of brie and a sip of champers though! )

DH and DD back at school/nursery now after the holidays (DH is a teacher, not a pupil just to be absolutely clear before you get the wrong idea!) so we're back to the routine, and I get a bit of peace and quiet and the computer to myself mid-afternoon - bliss.

Got 20 week scan tomorrow and have switched slightly from worrying about finding out the sex to just hoping all is well. And bizarrely I've gone from wishing I had more of a bump to worrying that it's now a bit too big too early! Don't fancy a massive 9 or 10 pounder, thanks

Pacific - sounds like a right dodgy tum you've got - hope it settles down soon. And good to hear of your multi-tasking skills - simultaneous bf-ing and bum-wiping - impressive!

Pixie - hope your DD's x-ray went ok today?

Hecklephone, that particular example of multitasking: impressive, maybe, but hygienic ?? The things you do when you have kids you could never have even dreamed up beforehand!

Dodgy tummy has been going on for weeks, so really must stop moaning about it and make appointment with GP, I suppose...

Pixie, is your DD in half cast now, I hope? Life would be sooo much easier for all of you, I am sure. Fingers crossed, here.

I am having detailed scan on Wednesday, mainly to check for position of placenta. If it is not low lying, this pregnancy will be considered lower risk, which would be nice . So here's hoping!

DH just came home unexpectedly early and is off to do the schoolrum; I am having quick cup of tea in peace, bliss!

Manda - sounds like a great day. Hope you're not having a kitten!

Pixie - that's cool that your DD does some modelling! Yeah I would only do it if I think DD enjoyed it. Think she would as she loves attention. She got accepted by a few agencies when she was younger but then we decided not to do it, but I might re-apply.

Iwonka & Heckle - good luck for scans!

The weirdo moved from Bangor to London when he was in his early 20's I think. He's now in his mid 30's. He has ginger hair!