Due March 2010 - we're halfway there!

[annamama]

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

Hi anna - hoping you're not suggesting red hair is weird

Good luck for scans everyone, keep us posted xxx

Ooops, is that what it sounded like?! No he's not weird because of having red hair... or at least I don't think so. Anyway, I like red hair, am a bit gingerish myself and so is DD... you too?

DD2's now has a half plaster on! We've been told to keep using the wheelchair when she gets tired, or her leg hurts, but that she can use crutches the rest of the time - it's going to make my life soooo much easier!
I am eating Gummy Mix - I called into the supermarket after dropping DD off at school to pick up a few bits, and was desperately craving some Haribo-like sweets - I've come away with three bags and actually haven't stopped all day! They're so addictive, although I'm going to have to stop before the DC come home, otherwise they'll be wanting them too!
Iwonka and Heckle, I hope your scan went OK? I've got one on Friday, and I actually can't wait!
Hope you've all had good days?

Oh, good news, Pixie! I hope your DD will enjoy her partial freedom.
And gummi anything - hmmmmm! However have to admit, Haribo are my favorite...

great news about your DD's cast pixie, how is she getting on with crutches???

welcome back iwonka and Lola!!!!

14 being a fat size how very rude!!!!!!

hope everyone has had a good monday and thnose with scans had great news and fab pictures!!!!, i am just getting ready to head out the door to work after having 2 weeks off!!!!!!! roll on 9 pm i am shattered now!!!LOL

spk soon xxx

Hi all,

haven't posted for a while as things have been a bit hectic. Hope you are all well.

Had another scan on friday as baby still not moving and he was hiding and refusing to move so that they could get a good look at him. They also struggled to wake him up and made me drink hot chocolate to shock him into waking. Baby did eventually wake but was not very active which is a worry. Doctor said I can't feel him move as my placenta is anterior but I am 21 weeks now and would really love to feel something just to know he is safe - does anyone else have an anterior placenta or not really feel any movement? I can't help worrying! Having another scan in two weeks time (going away next week so will have to worry throughout holiday unless he decides to get more active and give me some good kicks).

Sorry for the moaning / worried post but am struggling not to worry!

I'm sure somebody on here has a placenta placed so that they can't feel the baby.
Here is my wise old woman of the forest bit:
He will be FINE. I promise. We worry when we're pregnant, and it's natural, but things work themselves out, honest!

Thanks Pixie!

Evening ladies

Had to laugh at that woman finding size 14 fat .

EmLouT I'm seconding Pixie - 21 weeks is still pretty early so those kicks will get more noticeable. I'm 21 weeks tomorrow and it's only in the last couple of days that the kicks have gotten more "kicklike" (iykwim). Before that there were more like flutterings/wind/feelings.

Pixie yay for the half cast!

Pacific good luck for Wed - here's to a nice high placenta [fingers crossed]

And good luck to everyone else having scans at the moment. I've got mine tomorrow (finally!). My DH bought a fetal heart monitor (without telling me - he loves gadgets!) so today I've been listening to the heartbeat. Tis lovely, in a freaky kind of way . Roll on tomorrow morning!

My pregnancy pillow also arrived today, in the nick of time as the painful legs/back pain while sleeping have been really getting me down. Yoga tonight helped me stretch everything out so hoping the pillow helps me get comfy.

designerbaby Thanks for your comment about the name "Elodie", I'm sure that is annoying for your friend! My DH doesn't like it, and the more I think about it, I think he is right. I have a name which is a spelt an uncommon way and I am FOREVER correcting people and it's very annoying, so can understand your friend.

pixie I think it was you who asked about Pink gig? Anyway, yes it went really well. Going to see Green Day tomorrow and dance my bum off I love them!!!!!

annamama* I'm loving the confession about the guy from Bangor I'm sure I wouldn't know him, but to protect you I'll not ask his name. You were saying that you like gingers, and asked if me and hecklephone had ginger hair. No, my hair is brown. I do have an 'Irish' complexion though; all pale skin and freckles.

hecklephone That is so cool that your granda lives in Glengormley! If you're ever over to visit him we should meet up!

Greetings to everyone else, hearing about all your scans is making me very eager for mine, which is on 28th Oct (when I'll be 22 weeks).

Pixie-really pleased for you and dd. Emlou-im nearly 21wks and got scan tomorrow-not feeling anything either so hopin tomorrow is ok. Nite all. Still not decided whether to find out sex! X

Half cast sounds a lot better than a full one for the poor little thing! Great!

I'm another one not feeling much (or any) movement but the scan last week showed a health (and moving) baby so not worried. Ok, just a small bit.

Dying to hear how the pillow works out Caitni - I'm a pillow fanatic so def have my eyes on one.

Also going to get an Amby cot. Do any of you who know these things think a second-hand one used by 2 babies already would be ok.

I'm off to South America for 2 weeks next week - have nothing organised. I must be mad....last fling and all that....

Hey all,

EmLouT I wouldn't worry about the movement thing. There was people on here at 14 weeks saying they could feel things at that point, it was then that I decided to stop worrying what others were going through and concentrate on myself. All the stuff I have read has said you might not feel anything until 24 weeks. I'm 21 today and have just felt very light flutterings.

But most excitingly (if thats a word?) ladies is that I had my 20 week scan yesterday. Baby was very shy and hid face down low but we did see the spine SO clearly and the heart beat pumping away. Baby wasn't all that shy also despite the face hiding as we did see his winkie!

Cue very happy DH!

So because of the face hiding I have to go back next week to check the face... see if he has one presumably?!?!

Also the placenta was low (I think) so am booked in to have another scan in January to check on that too.

All in all I will have had 5 scans by that time as I had a 7 weeks one too due to being on Clomid. Good innit!

One more thing... I went to pregnancy yoga last night. Thought I would share this with you all. I was the earliest there but there was a girl there the week before with the same due date so it is not too early by any means. There was a girl who was about 35 weeks who had just started (on her 3rd session) who said she wished her midwife had recommended this earlier. I felt good that I had come at this time and would recommend it to you all. There was some good breathing, stretching and "good positions for labouring in" which all seems a long way off but I will have to accept at some point.

Check it out in your area... I am by no means a yoga person but I think it is good for lots of things in this time.

EMLouT this is my first pregnancy where the placenta hasn't been lying across the front. I can say for certain that it has made a huge difference to how how much I can feel of the baby - really early popping this time whereas a lot closer to 21 /22 weeks with the anterior placentas. I'm sure it'll alllllll be fine. Soon you'll be kept awake half the night by Mr Wriggly Kicky Stretchy Pants!

Tigress Love the sound of preg yoga. Is it just stretching stuff or is there anythin of the meditationy side of yoga involved?

Caitni at the pillow. No new preg or baby things allowed in the Arcadie household whatsoever.

DH read over my shoulder last night "Yay for half casts" and went off muttering about this site being very un Politically Correct.

Thank you so much everyone - you guys are great at reassuring - much better than DH who tries bless him but is not very good at tuning into the hormal woman / neurotic thing.

IWCAS - don't worry about the weight gain - as long as you are eating a normal amount the baby will take what it needs and if their isn't much left over then you will gain weight slowly. You will probably find you suddenly grow very quickly! I too am struggling to eat very healthily - green veg is making me feel sick so I am having to eat tonnes of fruit to compensate.

Arcadie - thanks for the words of reassurance. DS was such a kicker that having such a quiet baby feels weird! Glad you felt the same with yours.

Happy Tuesday all!

Hi all,

Just wanted to check in to add another vote for yoga. It is really soothing and I think babies really love it - mine certainly starts to kick like mad whenever I'm there! Must be all that deep-breathing.

I know it's probably common sense but I just wanted to say that (having sampled a few classes in my time) just make sure you get the right one for you. Classes do vary wildly in how active or gentle they are - some will focus on medidation, some will be aimed at women in their third trimester (I went to a lovely one last time around my due date and it involved lots of crawling round the floor on hands and knees!) and some are suitable all the way through.

Right, egg-sucking lesson over...

Hello Ladies,

Finally managed to get through all the posts, wow there's been a lot of stuff going on while I was away!

Congrats to everyone who's found out what they're having. I am sure you're all thrilled to know the details and can now plan you big baby shopping sprees.

Rindercella I read about your sis and was completely shocked, did you finally get to speak to her, has she realized how unfair she's being to you? I know how hard it can be to have conflicts with your siblings. I hope she comes to her senses and you work it out.

Walnut, I hope DH doesn't leave you alone at Christmas time, that would be so sad. And especially as you'll be heavily pregnant. All the best with that.

Some of you were asking about pregnancy pillows. I've gotten mine at 16 weeks as I had such a hard time getting comfortable and sleeping at night, and I have to say, it's really helped! I even took mine to Greece. I know the Dream Genii is expensive (about 45) but you can try to get one on Ebay, that's what I did and paid half the price. What's great about it is that you can use it when you're breastfeeding. Hope that helps.

Weepy and emotional? Yeah, I can completely relate. I am usually quite emotional so now, with all the extra hormones, some days feel like I'm on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Thankfully DH understands and is supportive. I read in this pregnancy book that he brought home for me that you should try and stay calm and relaxed because everything effects your baby. I just wonder how the hell you're supposed to do that with all the hormones surging through your veins? Not to mention all the worries one has that everything is going well...

Sariska, I wanted to thank you for sharing your water birth story. I meant to do it before I left for Greece, but as I already mentioned, I was soooo sick before I left I had no energy to do anything. Packed my stuff the day of...

Hope all of you who are sick will feel better soon. I know how crappy it can be, I also hate having to take any medication when I'm pregnant. At first I drank lots of lemon juice mixed with honey, and ginger but when things got worse, I had to give in and take antibiotics. Then on my trip I got a bladder infection, and had to take more. Hope I will be fine for some time to come.

Now here's my little update. Greece was great, the weather was wonderful, we managed to get 8 days of sunshine, and then all of the sudden it got gray and stormy. I actually thought we'd be stuck there. I guess that wouldn't have been so bad. The trip helped to take my mind of the worries regarding my upcoming scan, which was great.

I am having the scan this afternoon, it is also my 2 year wedding anniversary. I feel kind of anxious about the whole thing but trying to be positive about it all. I have been feeling the baby move more often, and my tummy has really gotten big. It makes the whole thing more and more real. Since we got back, we've had a look at some baby cribs and strollers at John Lewis and it's been very exciting. I just wish I could let go completely and know that it will all be alright. I wonder if at least some of my anxiety comes from becoming a mother for the first time? Would love to hear how the rest of you feel about this.

Also, those of you still planning trips, hope you have a great time! Annamama, hope you're enjoying yours, sounds like you are.

Welcome to all the newbies!

All the best to everyone!!!
(sorry for the gigantic post )

Stupid internet: just typed a longish post only to have the connection go down. Grrrr. Anyway, will just have to spend another 5 mins away from work things and retype

Iwonka, glad you had a lovely holiday and I hope your scan goes well today. I'm not sure if you'll find it reassuring or not if I tell you that I think I am possibly more anxious as a second timer. Really not sure why. Perhaps because having been through it all once (and seen lots of friends do likewise) I am more aware of what might (but usually doesn't!!) go wrong. Or perhaps I am just a natural worrier whose anxiety levels have soared for some reason....

Amby hammocks, donttrythisathome: I'm sure with a new mattress, a secondhand one will be fine. I'm planning to reuse mine for dc2. Will definitely buy a new mattress, though - probably two, in fact, as the amby "mattress protectors" aren't very protectorish, IYSWIM.

How are things in Florida, annamama? Your feelings about being a SAHM resounded with what I suspect mine will be. I'm considering not working for a while sometime after maternity leave with DC2 (will probably need to go back for 6 or 9 months first). Partly this is for financial reasons (the diminishing financial returns of working with each additional child), partly it's for logistical reasons (long commute, long hours away from home, heavy burden on mostly homeworking DH and, of course, not seeing DCs enough) and partly it's to see whether a general hacked off-ness with my job translates into a similar feeling for my whole career. Anyway, if I do do the whole SAHM thing, I hope to combine it with a (not job related) part time masters. I think having something "just for you" is vital. I hope you can find something similar for yourself. Fingers crossed that your discussions with DH have an equable and happy outcome for you both.

Iwonka I felt the same about my 20 week scan with DS1 but when you see them waving on screen at you, then progressively get more defined fetal movements (kicks in the ribs etc) you start to relax a lot more - by the way hapy anniversary, hope DH is taking you out for slap up nosh x

Tigress Congrats on expecting a DS, that's really wonderful and so at yoga, would really like to do some but there aren't any at convenient times near me

DTTAH 2 weeks in South America, you lucky bunny, have a fab time x

anna loved your comments x

All good here, doing lots of walking, getting more kicks from bubba and eating for GB xxx

Arcadie I was ROFL at your husband's interpretation of half cast - didn't even notice that when I typed it! Sorry to hear about no new baby stuff - that's actually my philosophy in general (am going ebay-tastic as have an ethical problem with how much it's possible to spend - also got a comedy horrified reaction from an old colleague when I told her we wouldn't be buying a bugaboo on the basis that it costs more than we paid for our car and that's just wrong!) but the back pain/sleeplessness and consequent narkiness on my part meant my husband was just like "buy it now" when I mentioned the pillow

Donttry OK, so I've only used the pillow for one night, but am recommending it already. I woke up with NO leg or back pain this morning - how great is that?!? Slept like a log in fact . The Amby looks lovely - we're going for a bednest alongside cot (have preordered it via the NCT as it's not available til December apparently). And South America - am so jealous I can only say ! I've had dreams of going to South America since I was a teenager and still haven't managed it yet! This is the perfect time to escape as well - you'll have a great time!

IWCAS am a little bit addicted to the monitor already ....which is actually why I wouldn't have wanted it if he'd asked before ordering it! Ah well, we have it now I suppose...also quite of your small weight gain - I've gained about 11lb (I think) but at least now I have a bump and look pregnant (the first trimester I just looked fat ).

Scooby hope your scan went well today

TLC enjoy Green Day!

Tigress Congrats on the boy! And lucky you getting another scan so soon (clever baby hiding his face ). Another preg yoga fan here - went last night for the second week and am enjoying it. I like how the stretches can be modified to suit all of us at different stages of our pregnancies (my class last night had me at 21 weeks and ranged right up to a woman of 39 weeks, and had two women with SPD). I liked the positions for labour - it's far off for us but I'm happy with all the tips/advice I can get!

Swings I agree that it's important to find the right class - my teacher gave birth to her third 6 months ago, so she really has a lot of empathy and experience. But is also OK with encouraging those of us in earlier pregnancy to push ourselves as far as is comfortable.

Iwonka Greece sounds amazing! I understand how anxious you are but I really hope you pop back on after your scan with great news about babyIwonka

So I had my anomaly scan today and all was fine - baby looked fine and dandy and was moving around beautifully. It seems to be taking after its dad on the big head front (head measured 22wks4days and I'm 21 weeks today!) but everything was measuring fine. Only slight problem was a bit of bilateral renal dilatation - which is to do with the reservoir of fluid in the kidneys - so I have to have another scan at 34 weeks. The sonographer was v reassuring - we're just over 5mm and they refer at 5mm but they're in the process of changing to 7mm so if I'd had my scan in 2 weeks I'd have been fine! - and I'm trying to just view it as a chance to see baba again at 34 weeks. I've started a thread in the Pregnancy section, as would be interested to hear what others have experienced (seems less "dangerous" than just obsessive googling!).

Anyway, was still lovely to see our little baby

Ha! I had a little chuckle at your DH's comment arcadie... does he not realise we are spelling champions/grammar naz- uh, nuts? Therefore, if we were choosing to be un-pc, in an ironic way you understand, it would have be thus: Yay for half castes!

I'm still bloody ill. I thought it was truly on it's way out but either the virus is rallying against my obviously weakened immune system or else I've picked something else up (incidently, Kate (best friend) is now ill with a cold/flu type thing so entirely possible I caught something saturday... shoulda konwn there'd not be a 'perfect day' without consequence :p)

I only just got out of bed - just before midday, so it wasn't an awfully shocking 'afternoon' rising, but still. I guess I wouldn't be sleeping so much if I didn't need it. And I'm supposed to be out at book club tonight! There were two titles up for consieration this month, the first 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' which I and a few others have already read, hence the back up of 'The Missing Persons Guide to Love' for those who'd alreay read Kevin. Naughty me though, I'm only about 20 pages into Missing... where does my time go?! I'm not working so it's very poor form from me, I'm afraid. Luckily, I can blame my extreme --laziness- inopportunity to read on The Bump/side effects of The Bump/being ill. Hurrah!

(I do usually read the book club books so goodness knows why I've been so lackadaisical this month)

Iwonka Good luck this afternoon! Do let us know everthing is fine and dandy asap

Em I completely understand your worries in not feeling the babe as with my previous two I felt from 15 and 12 weeks respectivly... this one, I had the odd flutter here and there but nothing 'ah, DEFINITELY baby!' until about 18 weeks. It's much stronger now, but it makes me wonder about my pacenta position and anterior positioning is known to cushion the movement. So TRY not to worry! However, have you considered buying a doppler to put your mind at ease? I got my Hi BeBe (Now! with digital display!) from ebay. It's 'hospital grade' and although around the £100 mark new I paid £35 for mine. It's VERY reassuring just to pop it on for thirty seconds or so any time you feel anxious and interestingly enough you can hear little kicks against the dppler that you can't feel... which is a second reassurance. Something for you to consider if finances will allow - it's not too much of an outlay for peace of mind

IWCAS Another 'don't worry' from me! I've only put on 3lb and know from my first pregnancy (when I LOST 2 STONE and no wasn't overweight to start - I was like a skeleton when she was born at a bouncing 7b 13oz) know that the baby will leech everything it needs from you and your reserves. Of course, this isn't good news, so if you can bear it, try to up your 'good food' intake too - for YOU not the baby! Remember you need looking after too! And if you aren't taking any prenatal vitamins/fish oil supplements then I'd suggest them too. I take the pregnacare ones: www.vitabiotics.com/pregnacare/pregnacareplus_productinfo.aspx

Eesh, looking at that page, I do hope that the 10mg Arachidonic acid isn't extracted from... SPIDERS! Ok, get a grip Manda, it's fish oil... still, maybe a spider fish?!

pixie A half cast (oh god, fruedian slip with my choice of 'laughter' word?! Even if I was inherently racist (which I don't believe I ever was...) I've had diversity training out the wazoo for one of my previous careers and so it's all been educated out of me if I was!) sounds great but cue lots of 'It hurts my hands' 'It hurts my armpits' 'I'm too tired to do it!' protestations from DD, and lots of walking. Slower. Than. A. Snail. from you everytime you're with her once the novety wears off I only know as my DD has needed crutches twice. Of course, she may well take to them like a duck to water and it's just my DD who couldn't get on with them... Have fun!

It's seems long, rambly posts are becoming something of a trademark for me. Just skim if you can't be bothered to read my witterings

Hi, all, quick post from work:

Re movements: this is my 4th pregnancy and I am only now beginning to feel first flutters at 20 weeks. So all hugely individually different . All stop worrying now .

I bought a secondhand Amby and am really pleased with it. It was from a MNer, too!

Welcome back to all those holidayers . No trips planned here ...

Anyway, off to do something useful

Hello ladies

Well, we've had our 20 week scan this morning and all is well. What's more.....it's a girl! Which means a houseful of pink and a skint/ear-bashed/hormone-weary DH in our house!! I can't quite believe we're having another girl, perhaps because I have a brother myself. And I admit i was a teensy bit disappointed at first because I'd almost been hoping for a boy. But now that I know I'm definitely getting used to the idea and getting more excited. Plus, I think I'll feel comfortable and familiar with another baby girl. And no bits to wee on you when you're changing a nappy!

The scan itself was really cool though - she was REALLY wriggly and jumping about all over the place, waving hands and legs. Brilliant.

The midwife wanted to follow up on a couple of things with me though - a slightly high glucose level in my urine and I'm also slightly hyperthyroid, which is something I've been treated for in the past. So I have another appointment to see them next week (but sadly not another scan )

Congrats on others' good scans and good luck for those still waiting...don't worry about movements and stuff like that, people - it's different for everyone. And it's completely normal to worry!

TLC - a meet up would be cool! I'll bear it in mind next time we're planning a trip over!

Now, must go and pick up DD from nursery while repeating to myself "I do NOT need an Amby...I do NOT need an Amby..."

GIRLS

Pixie (x2)
Puree
TwoFalls
Don't Try
Lemonade
Hecklephone

BOYS

Pacific
DrSkid
Becky7000
EmLou
Sarah
Tigress

(Can you tell I'm bored... took me ages to go through all the old posts! Hope I haven't missed anyone.)