Due May 2010: Where we get a 'bloom' just in time for the christmas mayhem???

[AnAngelWithin]

Morning ladies. Hope you don't mind me starting a new thread! The other one was too big for my computer to manage! lol

01 May - Brightredballoon, 32. #3
02 May - kaystar, 33, #1
03 May - lizzie9442, 23, #4
04 May - ForcesSweetheart, 36, #2
04 May - memorylapse, #5
05 May - Lotus Palm, 31, #1
05 May - Bettymamma #3
06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, #2
06 May - LuckyC, 35, #1
07 May - Woody31 #1
07 May - hobnobfanatic, 37. #2
08 May - sweetkitty, 34, #4
08 May - Sassles, 30, #1
08 May - TheShopaholic, 33, #2
09 May - Alexw, 37, #2
10 May - Sophie2008, 28, #2 & #3 (Non id twins!)
10 May - Gils, 28, #2
11 May - Itshappenedagain, 25, #2
11 May - sheepgomeep, 32,#4
12 May - pamelat, 31, #2
12 May - Tamuna, 28, #1
12 May - slipperthief, 33, #2
12 May - napa, 31, #2
12 May - Katnkittens 29, #4
12 May - Haribolicious, 36, #2
13 May - Cith, 30, #1
13 May - Wibblela, 36, #1
14 May - Charmbutterfly, 28, #1
14 May - Carikube, 36, #2
14 May - JamesAndTheGiantBanana, 28, #2
14 May - CornishSAMum, 32, #1
14 May - Tinylion #2
15 May - TwentiethCenturyHeffa, 25, #2
16 May - MoggMum, 38, #1
16 May - MinnieMummy, 36, #3
16 May - schipo, 40, #1, [boy]
17 May - newmomma, 31 #2
17 May - LittleOneMum, 36, #2
17 May - First1, 21, #1
17 May - Morph2, 36 #1
18 May - TomlinTowers, 31, #2
18 May - 30ish, 31, #2
19 May - cupcakefairy, 25, #1
19 May - Pigleychez, 28, #2
20 May - LolaAnn, 22, #1
20 May - mmmmmchocolate, 27, #2
20 May - BuongiornoPrincipessa, 29, #1
21 May - Suey2, 39, #2
21 May - Sweetpeasmum, 38, #2
23 May - Swangirl,36 #3
23 May - Mollybob, 37 #3
23 May - RacquelWelsh, 38 #1
24 May - Yorky (started on here as HeadInAWhirl), 31 #3
24 May - Cafuffle 36 #2
24 May - AnAngelWithin #5
25 May - Den26, 26 #1
26 May - Booboomonster 35 #2
26 May - Washersaurus, 33, #3
28 May - Glastochick #1
30 May - tiggsy98 29, #2
31 May - April80 29,#2
31 May - Hollyoaks, 27, #2

Angel - 9lb3, don't worry, DD was 9lb9.5oz no gas and air and no tear. The midwife feeling my tummy had told me about 5hrs before she was born she'd be about the size of DS who was only 7lb8! (must look at charts in my notes now!)

Kateyjane, you'd think people would realise how special scans are to pregnant mums, how insensitive can you get?

How are everyone's boilers this morning?

lol thats a relief!! my biggest so far is 8lb6oz. But that was also the quickest...4 and a half hours start to finish!!

am also waiting for my appointment to come through to see the consultant to try and get permission for a homebirth. Had my last 2 at home and would like this one at home but the midwives want confirmation from a consultant forst to get the go ahead as this is actually my 8th pregnancy, will be birth bumber 5 as such.

hello all!

AnAngelWithin- i would love to get to umber 5 but can only live in the hope that i can find someone who wants to stay around that long. i think that the charts they ahve for predicting weights of LO are no that accurate, my friend had to have a Cs as they told her that baby would only be a few lbs, when born he was 8lb 6oz. and i was induced because they were worried my Ds was huge, 4 weeks early he was only 8lb 11oz, they were predicting something like 11lb 11oz.

katyjane- i would have put a complaint in about her...there is such a thing as common curtisy (SP?) surely there were more polite ways of putting things.

just back from the midwife who was concerned that i am still tender all over bump, and she spent agaes trying to find the HB as baby kept moving around.
she informed me that i was having braxton hix and frequently...so i have to go back next week, or if they get any more frequent call the hospital. i think she may be panicing for no reason, as i think what she felt was baby shoving bum out alot.
anyway have been told to rest, so will have 5 mins and a biscuit then get stuck in to some more housework whilst Ds is at nursery.

Are there any old TTC First Time Frolickers here? If so, please say hello to many of your old chums on this new ante-natal thread.

Thanks

Anangelwithin - I have come up against a bit of opposition for a HB this time as well, I think the more DC you have the greater your chance of a post partum haemorrohage PPH, that's what my MW was on about. The thing is they bring the drugs to prevent it and the hospital is 10 mins away as well. I haven't decided where to have this one as yet.

My 6lbs 3ozs tiddler was the worst labour as she came out with her hand up by her ear and tore me quite badly, DD2 was the 9lbs 3ozs one and I didn't even have a graze afterwards, DD3 shot out and tore me again but it was a straight tear so didn't need stitches, she was 8lbs 5ozs.

I would really love not to go overdue this time but the last two were late so the chances are this one will be too.

Angel- Oh yes! Pizza Hut was delicious thank you!
Pizza hut became a "thing" when I was pg with DD.. so maybe it will be again (or Im just a pig!)
Agree that baby weight is very hard to predict and everyone has an opinion.

Kateyjane- at that moody old mare. Ignore her!

Happenedagain- Do rest up just in case. Ive had a few BH too.. had a bit of a scare when I was 15 weeks when I suddenly got theses sharp pains over dinner. I had to move off the chair it was so unconfortable. Didnt think too much untill a few minutes later it happened again. Only lasted for about a minute but DH did look abit concerned. It did remind me of contractions though! Thankfully anything since hasnt been so bad.

SK- Im another one hoping not to go overdue again this time!

Its really murky and misty here today.. Its quite spooky! Its slightly warmer today too but I feel colder than ever! Heatings on but I really cant seem to lose my inner chill!

Ello all, hope things are well
Just had a follow up scan this morning and little one was in a lovely position so we were finally able to see Squirt's face... v cute!! Only trouble is MW couldn't see something with the heart so we are now being referred to a specialist in the nxt 2 weeks so they can have a poke round, not too worried as she thinks its more to do with the way Squirt was laying than any real problem but its better to be safe than sorry. Dp was fantastic during the scan, MW had to press fairly hard on bump to get some of the heart scans and he could see i was in pain and constantly rubbed my back taking my mind off the acute sickness rising and the pressure on bump (had to lay on my sides for most of the scan)
Everything will be fine but doesn't stop the tiny nagging doubt in the back of my head

xxxxx

Angel I've never seen one of those growth charts; during my last pg the MW kept telling me I was measuring big for my dates and said she thought I was having a big baby. DD arrived 3 days early weighing 7lb 10 which is bang on average! I had believed her as in my family babies tend to be big (my Mum had 6 kids, not one under 8.5lbs).

As for a HB, I'm still debating the idea. DH isn't really in to the idea but told me yesterday that if it is what I want, he'll support the decision. I just can't decide if it's what's right for me or not especially as dd's labour didn't quite go according to plan. Anyone got any advice they can offer? Has anyone had one after a bad labour previously?

brightredballoon Tonic water eh? Will give it a bash. QUite fancy some now you have mentioned it actually.

Thanks all for carpal tunnel tips.

Forces does this mean your SPD is better this time round than last? Hope so.

Holly sorry about your friend.

Squirts glad you got to have a good look at your LO and I am sure all's well - people have to be overcautious, don't they? But let us know how you get on.

Still no boiler but postman arrived today and sweet, DH had secretly ordered me a bunch of nice warming things as a pressie, so I am sitting here wearing this huge fluffy blanket and hot chocolate coming later and etc. Many, many, many points to him.

LuckyC Yes it's much better than last time, but then I was carrying an extra 10 stone so I expected it would be. It's just a bit sore and niggly at the moment, this time last pregnancy I was in crippling pain and only a week away from being immobile in a wheelchair. Very impressed with your thoughful DH! Mine gave me a big lie in again this morning by getting DD up and dressed and off to nursery without making a sound. I slept til 11.15, it was fab!

Angel They told me all through my pregnancy to expect a whopper coz of the diabetes, I was induced 2 wks early coz of this but her head got stuck (something like 99th centile head circumference!) so had an emergency CS only to discover a perfectly average 7lb 6oz baby!

Squirtsmum I'm sure all will be fine with LOs heart. At my 20wk scan they couldn't get a good view of all 4 heart chambers, had heart scan yesterday and they got a better view and all was fine.

Pigley Pizza Hut is one of my guilty pleasures too. Have obviously passed it on to DD too as she's having her birthday party there on Sunday - good excuse for me to pig out on pizza too!

kateyjane can't believe there's another bypasser on here. Small world! I guess it's going to become a lot more common now they're doing so many more of them. Have you been sick a lot this pregnancy? Is that why you've lost? I'm desperately hoping not to put too much back on over the pregnancy. I'm at 10lb so far - 24 weeks. I'd love to keep it to a stone and a half by delivery if I can. I had only stopped losing a couple of months before I fell pregnant, and would hate to start going up again so soon. (Some of my before pics are on my profile - and lots more on my FB albums - if anyone wants a nose)

ML My blood sugars have sudenly jumped above target I emailed my consultant last night and he told me to try increasing my metformin to 3 a day but that he thinks I'll have to go onto insulin v soon. How are you getting on?

Re Maternity Leave - when I start it will depend on how long the doc keeps signing me off sick. If I get to a point where they say I'm fit for work I'll start my mat leave then (assuming it's after 28 wks) but will take the 2 wks leave I have outstanding first. I don't intend to go back for a couple of years after my mat leave - will be taking career break and probably go back once DH is out of the army and we're back in Glasgow (Molly will be about 3ish)

DD had her swine flu jab today and was very brave, then we went to visit a local mum I got talking to on netmums a few weeks ago who has just had a baby girl. Was so cool getting some cuddles with a newborn, made me so broody for Molly to get here. She seemed so tiny, although she's now 8lb 7oz.

carikube, first birth was traumatic, hospital, lost over a litre of blood, placenta broke down, ventouse delivery, episiotomy, infect, stitches inside and out, drips and verge of blood transfusion. 2nd was waters breaking 24 days early, 2 long days of labour and monitoring and dd born 22 days early. 3rd was homebirth....4.5 hours start to finish!! 4th was homebirth, 22 hours, but still straightforward!

Forces todays scan was a re-scan after the same problem on my 20wk one - the lower heart chambers dividing wall isn't really there... well some scans it is and others it isn't, and on the scans its there one of the chambers is very very small Heart beat is still very stong tho on the low end of the bpm, but as Squirt was playing the 'Kick Mum in the bladder all night' game pretty sure he/she was just half asleep and turning round for the scan so we could see this perfect face was as accomodating as Squirt was gonna get

xxxx

squirtsmum, what have they said about it?

Not to worry, better safe than sorry etc....
If it was uber serious they woulda dumped us outside the specialist's room there and then (as he's only up the stairs) but they didn't so looking at that as a good thing IYKWIM Told my mum about 30 mins ago and she has just informed me that i had a small heart defect when i was born but everything seemed to right itself when i hit 5 months... cripes... bloody mothers!!
Trying not to worry, as MW did say if something was wrong we wouldn't have got such a clear strong heatbeat, and its more than likely the position Squirt was in.

xxxx

Hi All

Squirtsmum - we had a similar problem with DS1 but with the kidney. Something about the tube from the kidney to the bladder not being formed correctly at the 20wk scan so had to have another scan at 33wks to check. Fortunately everything had come right of it's own accord, and the consultant said that often bits of the baby just don't form by 20 weeks especially if you are scanned early (for example I was 19 weeks 2 days or something) but they get there in the end. As you said, if it was really serious you would have been referred on straight away. I also had a friend whose DD1 was born with a tiny hole in the heart but it has never held her back and the consultant said that it will heal itself naturally but the time she is 5. Fingers crossed for you.

My MW said I was measuring big for dates as well with DS1. He arrived 3 days early at 8lb 9.5 oz (the .5 is very important to me!) which isn't that big considering all the dire warnings I had been given about possibly needing c-sections etc. The birth was low forceps to help them get the cord off his neck as he managed to get tangled up in it right at the end. The MW called him a "bungee baby" because I kept pushing the top half of his head out and then he would be pulled back in with the cord. Quite amusing now, but I wasn't laughing at the time...just wanted him out!!

Carpal tunnel and cramps - I'm sure I read something somewhere that cramps can be low sodium, so to increase your fluid intake of water (possibly mineral water?). I have a few clients with CTS as well and they say hanging your arm over the side of the bed when you are asleep also helps. Don't know if that's true but worth a try??

I got my bolster pillow out of the loft two nights ago, and am having the best sleeps now that the bump is supported and not pushing into the mattress.

Angel thanks for that info - did you have any difficulty getting a homebirth after your first 2 labours or was the MW/consultant happy with the idea from the word go?

Hello all. Hope everyone is well.

I have not been on for a while so I will catch up with everyones' news shortly.

I am starting to get really dizzy at times which the mw says is down to my low bp.
I have now decided when I am going to leave work (5th April) has anyone else decided yet? What is everyone planning about going back? (or not?)

Thank you so much for all your lovely words and support - you don't know how much it has helped. Feeling much happier today, DH has been really lovely and offered to pay for a scan (we had a private neuchal scan, which was a lovely experience) I figure that it is not too long to wait now and I can do it (hopefully)I guess it is so routine for all the sonographers that they stop thinking about how we might feel? Just hope that I get a much nicer midwife for the birth!

LuckyC What a lovely husband!

I really hope that all of you who would like a home birth are able to get what you want. If I was brave enough I think it would be a lovely experience.

Welcome to the thread MDM Squirt it's really good new that your LO had a really strong heartbeat. Hopefully anything else will resolve itself like TomlinTowers said.

Happenedagain I hope you are feeling a bit better today.

Forces I have never met anyone else who has had a bypass (I guess because mine was nearly 10 years ago and I was quite young) It's really nice to meet you on this thread. I have lost weight mainly because I have been dieting (sensibly) - also not drinking red wine anymore may have contributed I had my first DC 3 years after the bypass and lost another two stone during the pregnancy because I was so sick. That brought my total loss to 13 stone and I managed to maintain that for about 15 months. Then when I had DC's 2 and 3 it all went a bit wrong - was quite ill during pregnancy with severe anaemia and couldn't work or exercise, anaemia was caused by malabsorption of vitamins and minerals. I guess through illness I fell into bad habits and began to put on weight again. Then I was straight back in to the pattern of feeling down about my weight, comfort eating etc.. Plus I think I was a bit stressed with working full time and 3 DCs. That led to the 5 stone weight gain. (sorry didn't want to tell you that I'd put back on, but I think I just let it go too far too quickly - this won't happen to you, as you sound so much more sorted than I was) However I have now managed to turn the corner and am now losing again. I'm not doing a serious diet whilst pregnant, but just trying to get my health and weight back in order. I'm determined that I will shift the last 4 stone afterwards! - Sorry didn't mean to give you my life story there and sorry to everyone else, this might not have been the right place to write all this, sorry. I think if you've got a supportive consultant and have had good follow up then everything will be great! Really lovely to know you're on here though

Anyway sorry for being self indulgent in my post (again) Hope everyone is doing well. Think the weather is beginning to thaw a bit, hopefully! Glad it's Friday tomorrow

sorry to lurk and not post - do think about you and i'm trying to catch up with this thread - work so busy and knackering - take care all

kateyjane don't apologise you and Forces inspirational.

carikube nobody wanted me to have a HB to start, including DH, but in the end, DH came to realise that I would not put myself or our baby at risk, and that how much i hate hospitals so he suported me. The MW was supportive but had to get the go ahead from the consultant as my 2 hospital births were less than straightforward. Having the last 2 at home, DH is now adament that providing all is well, I should have this one at home as well, and I am inclined to agree. Was certainly the right choice for me! It's not everyones cup of tea I suppose, but I felt so much better being at home. The kids were in the next room when i had ds2 and they knew nothing about it!!

hello mollybob hope you are ok.

We finally decided on a girls name last night as well. Willow Yes it's unusual but we love it. Boys names....er....not got a clue lol

Thanks everyone for the welcome! Realised that I forgot to put my age when I introduced myself - I'm 33.

Myfirstbump - our holiday year also runs with the calendar year. Apparently when we go on maternity leave, they calculate how much holiday we will have accrued pro-rata between 1 January and 6 months into our maternity leave. They subtract any you have taken and you get paid in lieu for what you haven't used. When you come back to work, assuming you take more than 6 months, they calculate the remainder of the holiday to take you up to December 31 and you get paid in lieu for that when you come back. I guess holiday for next year you can take when you return to work. I don't know if everywhere does it the same way, or not.

Hi All, been lurking but not posting (bit like you mollybob). Work has been busy and brain too addled in the evenings to post anything! Have kept up with all your news, ups and downs with much interest though.

With regard to maternity leave - I'm going to take 6 months from beginning of May to end Oct then return to work for 3 1/2 days a week after that. Going to use all my 'keeping in touch days' too as that will help boost SMP. Very of those of you taking full 52 weeks but financially that would cripple us. Plus I would find it very hard to return to work after such a long break.

Nearly 23 weeks now and over the past few days have finally been feeling LO kick which is lovely . Can't wait for DH to feel the kicks too as it might make it all feel a bit more 'real' for him. Worried that his heart isn't in this as he already has 2 teenage DC's from previous marriage and this will be like starting from scratch again . This is all new and exciting for me (and a little scary) and I want him to feel the same. His DC's spend every weekend with us so I hope they adapt to their little half brother/sister too.

If anyone has first hand experience of this sort of situation would be interested to know how you deal with the mixed emotions involved.

On a lighter note, have just placed my first order for maternity/baby things and can't wait for them to arrive

Starting to look like a proper pregnant person now and feel proud of my growing bump.

A very warm welcome MDM

Im 24+3 and still a bit too scared to buy any baby stuff..I think Ill wait till I give birth!

Forces..I was put straight onto insulin..and they keep increasing it every time I go to clinic..it seenms that as pregnancy advances, you become more insulin resistant..

Kateyjane..sorry to hear about your negative scan experience..whilst I appreciate that the scan is a diagnostic one..sometimes its easy tio forget that for the expectant mum, seeing baby on the scan is a very emotional experience..especially if pregnancy has been a difficult one.

Angel..I wouldnt take any notice of the weight prediction thing as I dont see how they can predict it from the 20 week scan..I have big babies and had weekly growth scans with DS2 and at 38 weeks when I was induced was told that he would be 7lbs..which I didnt beleive..he was 9lb 7

Squirtsmum..I was referred for a second scan with DS2 to look at the heart..its quite common apprently

DD2 felt DC kick the other night..she was so excited..her eyes were like saucers! DS2 put his hand on my tummy and felt it too but declared it.."creepy" and said he wouldnt like to feel it again

Hello all

Sorry also to be in camp of people with time to lurk but not to post. Just snatching a few mins now although I'm away.

I did mail Suey this week though to check she's ok, and all sounds good Just sounds very busy after returning from holiday also level of traffic on this thread must be overwhelming to catch up on after a break! I hope she's back with us soon though

LuckyC - re carpel tunnel - have you tried doing joint rotations? Wrists, shoulders, elbows etc. They were recommended for carpel tunnel in antenatal yoga class the other week.

Moggmum - not sure if my experience is directly relevant to yours, but I do appreciate difficulties of step parenting!
My DH has a 23 year old DD and she did find news of this pregnancy very difficult tbh. Mostly because her parents split when she was very young I think and she didn't see much of her dad for months on end sometimes when she was growing up. Not much I can do about that now though. Also DH and I have been together for 12 years so she wasn't expecting us to breed after all this time.
I think she was expecting him to be a grandfather soon, not a new father so I suppose she has good reason to be shocked.

DH on the other hand is very excited. Partly because he wasn't expecting it, and being a lot older and wiser now than when he first hit fatherhood I think it's all exciting for him too. He bought LO a lovely leather scrap book to keep scans etc in which i thought was v sweet. He does have to tread a fine line though about not being too excited and making his DD even more jealous.
Could your DH be holding back a bit so as not to upset his teenagers?

I saw consultant this week and was told there's a good chance i can be considered low risk (despite age) and use the birthing centre they have at the hospital. They offer home style births just one floor above all the technology and consultants you might need if things go wrong. That seems like a good compromise to me, esp because DH is very horrified/scared at the idea of a home birth (and he was present and his DD's birth)