June-ior middleweights - fighting on through the second trimester (Due June 2010)

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Here we go ladies - I'll C&P the stats in a tick. Don't forget to add the gender on if you find out at your scan

Hi All,

Another one for team pink here! Will be nice for DD to have a sister (i'm an only child) esp as they will be close in age (18 months apart). If the sonographer has got it wrong and I have a boy I will still be over the moon and it will still be lovely for DD to have sibling so close in age.

Thanks mampam
hope you are keeping well too and finding plenty to amuse yourself on FB etc....

Adding my 2 cents to the baby sleeping bags
my ds2 loved his we had 2 different sizes and diff togs too. It was useful too when ever he stayed anywhere else overnight he had his own little snuggly grobag so he would sleep anywhere

i'll be definitely getting them out of storage if i can find them, for dc3.

Afternoon ladies

LittleRobbo I'm signed up for a hypnobirthing course and am really looking forward to it. I used to have a crushing fear of flying and hypnotherapy has helped me to overcome it and I can now fly without tears/panic attacks/sedatives which is a huge result for me. With this in mind I thought I'd give it a go for my other great fear, childbirth, since I'm clearly open to it's effects. I also really like the fact that it gives dh a role in the birthing process as I hear all the time about them feeling like a bit of a spare part. I'm not expecting hypnobirthing to give me a pain-free delivery but I do hope it will help me to rationalise my fears and give me good breathing/meditation techniques to cope better with the pain. Everything I read about it sounds positive, and even those people (like gizmo) who don't experience a hippy-calm state seem to recommend it anyway, so for me it's worth a go.

gizmo Congrats on the girl news and well done on the rational assessment of the 'bright' bowel news.

I heard an assessment of the 'fog' research on Radio 2 and they were saying that the study was of a lot of women, but they were all 21-24 years old. When they combined the research with other studies, there still shows strong evidence to say that a fog does exist and suggested it could be age-related to an extent. So, bearing in mind our average age is 32 , I think we've got a bloody good excuse to feel a bit foggy every now and then!

I had a hypno birth last time and have booked a refresher course. I wasn't pain free but in a lot less if that makes sense, got to 4 cm's without noticing do that was a result !

Hello - I took a hypnobirthing course during my first pregnancy and as gizmo mentioned, and read the Hypnobirthing book by Marie Mongan as part of the course. The book includes a CD with a 30min relaxation and a meditation which helped me structure some time to focus on myself and the baby in the last few months. There is also a visualisation technique which I found really helpful during the birth. I didn't have a pain-free labour, but I felt in control and empowered throughout, just from reading the book - so it was well worth it for me.

For my 2nd labour, I didn't want DS2 to arrive before I'd had a chance to take DS1 to his first few classes at preschool, and when I got home from the 2nd one, I said to everyone I was now ready. I went for my meditation and labour started! I tried to go for the pain free birth but was so relaxed that the labour didn't progress and had to get up and walk around otherwise they were going to send me home as they said I was too relaxed ( this was in the US though). I did visualise throughout (and didn't really have to concentrate to do this, it's just one of the messages of the book I really liked, so instinctively thought of the baby & I working on the labour together. I believe this was the reason I did not have to push at all. I could sense the baby moving down the birth canal and right out - an amazing experience, and trust me I am so not new-agey.

I recommend the Hypnobirthing book by Marie Mongan with the CD from Amazon (I picked a used one up for a friend for 6 quid there). Then I'll be interested to hear what you all think after reading....

Afternoon all, I'm in bed resting as I've been signed off. I'm about to rant- sorry!I'm trying to fight the urge to go downstairs and tell the Nanny to get the boys under control. I can hear them sat at the dining room table and plates are being thrown I think this week off will be a real eye opener for me and will confirm that she really isn't the Nanny for our family. I know my two can b e a handful with only 14 months between them but I wouldn't let the things that are going on at the moment happen on my watch! And don't get me started on hat she see is a healthy balanced diet!
Filly I look forward to your update on the 12th too then, glad I'm not the only one feeling that way.

I'm waiting for my friend to pop and then she will be handing over her hypnobirthing CD to me.
I've also booked on to do a Doula Training course in March as this is something I'm looking into in the future, but also I thought it might be useful fo this birth and will hopefully give me more confidence in a home birth.

Amazing self control wheredidmyfeetgo i would have been down there in a hormonal rage by now!

dinosaur the book sounds great thanks for the recomendation.

I'm not expecting miracle birth due to hypnobirthing,but just want controlled breathing and a feeling of being mostly in control. I used to do yoga to help with anxiety a few years ago and it helped so much.

Update on hairgate; since yesterday,from blonde to supposed to be brown,but ended up grey/green, am now red! But i'm going to attempt to tone it down a little

Little Robbo - say no more or we'll be asking for photos of every stage!

Congratulations on scan news, and well done for staying calm, Gizmo. I thionk when one is up against a potential problem youhave to get yourself in hand a bit. Maybe this is what you're achieving? I'm not sure I would be able to.

Ok. I am going to confess (after having been really quite good until the last few days) to having a treat every day now. What happens is this: morning activity with DD - usually involving a lot of walking! - ; lunch; DD goes down for nap; on goes MN; out comes the teapot and now suitably scrummy biscuit or chocolate. Very unlike me, btw.

So, who's going to confess to being naughty, 'because I'm pregnant' too?

Off to do some virtuous housework to make up for it (when I've let all the viennese whirls go down a bit, naturally)

Hi all, all this talk of hypnobirthing is making me think i should really get out the CD's I bought and start preparing. Can't believe I'm 22 weeks already, DD was born at 36 weeks so if the same happens again that means I only have 14 weeks to go. Very scary!

wheredidmyfeetgo sounds like you're being very restrained. I really struggle to stay in my bed and not intervene when either DH or my parents are in charge of DD when I'm on nights and I can hear things going on that wouldn't happen on my watch. I think if it was a nanny rather than family looking after her I would find it even harder.

dinosaurinmybelly I flew back from australia at 31 weeks last pregnancy. Was tiring and uncomfortable, but manageable. I obviously only had myself to worry about though as it was my first pregnancy and travelling while pregnant with young children in tow is obviously a bit more of an undertaking!

gizmo your attitude to worry seems very similar to mine - I worry about everything under the sun, until i have something I would be justified in worrying about and then I seem to calm down! Good luck for the blood test, I hope it sets your mind at rest.

LaTrucha your routine sounds very much like mine. I've just had a very naughty mars bar! We have been swimming this morning though so I think i'm justified. Think I should probably get off the computer and do something a bit more productive this afternoon though, as DH is at home and I don't want him to think I have it too easy

LT - I'm snacking almost constantly. So far today:

2 large slices buttered toast (breakfast)

1 x chocolate tiffin cake (mid morning)

1 x m&s salmon salad (lunch)

1 x panda licorice bar (snack)

1 x diet coke

2 x tea

1 x skinny latte

Now considering choice of 4 finger kit kat, mini bag minstrels, crunchie bar, another choc tiffin square, milky bar or wasabi peas. I have all of these in my desk drawer at the moment....this isn't normal, even by my own snacking standards!!

Mm...just found a packet of m&s marshmallow teacake things in my desk too, and realised that was what i really wanted...

...sigh...no wonder I have put on 7lbs in the past 2 weeks...

Oh dear..my snacking is so prodigious it appears to have killed the thread...

Random questions time ...

For those going from 2 to 3 children, or who have 3 children already, what cars do you have?

Also, what's everyone done about the swine flu jab? I didn't have mine as the appointment was before I'd reached 12 weeks and now all the kerfuffle about it seems to have died down so now indecisive!

My snacking depends on whether I'm at home or work but the chocolate consumption has gone through the roof in the last week for no apparent reason.

Congrats on the latest scans.

LaTrucha - my treats tend to come in the evening once the kids are in bed, and are things like a bowl of museli or some cheese and oatcakes. I did have a few squares of choc the other evening though, which was very naughty. Am sure I would be worse if I didn't have gestational diabetes, but can't afford to be now as risk too great.

Nizzy - we have 6 seater Mercedes R Class (think I prob had it last time I saw you) which will become dh's, and we will trade his car in and get a Land Rover Discovery 3 as soon as one with the right spec at the right price comes up. But 4 wheel drive is obv quite important to us living where we do! I presume that you ask because you are planning to change. What are you considering at the moment?

I booked my swine flu jab today for next Tuesday, as they have finally got the Celvapan in for me instead of the pandremix. Ds will get his mmr at the same time, so what a joyful day that will be!

Hello all, finding it hard to keep up with the thread! It's moving so fast plus we have been busy planning the wedding Everything booked and arranged now, just need something to wear...since I will be 30 weeks by that point at least that does limit the options somewhat (definitely a good thing, I am terrible at making decisions!)

Nizzynoodles - about the swine flu jab, I haven't been offered it and when i mentioned it to my midwife at booking in she was very non committal and didn't seem concerned about it - in fact she was more concerned about putting something extra into your body when they always advise you to avoid putting extra stuff in when pregnant. So I'm not worrying about it really.

LaTrucha - I know what you mean about treats, although why does it have to be unhealthy things?! I really crave fruit sweets at the moment which I never eat or have in the house but have had to have a few packs of skittles recently. Very unlike me. I need to find an alternative!!

csws I think the 4 wheel drive would be a must for you! We've got a scenic at the moment and I'm hoping that we can muddle through with that really as a new car isn't really an option.

hi all,

had scan today, and its a boy! as we expected really, we already have one DS and i guess it is hard to imagine having anything else.

that said we were both a bit disappointed and me especially as i really in my heart of hearts wanted a girl.......so now i feel like a bad mother for being disappointed even though the little one hasn't even arrived yet.

on the other hand it did make me remember that there is actually a little person in there, and i best try to take care of it, and try to eat something nutritious every now and then! (then DH and i went to starbucks and ate blueberry muffins)

Hello Everyone Hello Fillybuster I'm due on the 6th of July but thought it's only a few days difference si am joining/ It is number 2 and I will find out on the 16th if it is a girl or a boy. I already have a daughter of 5
MomBanks, please don't feel bad it is only natural and I am sure you will completely fall inlove anyway.

P.S. Dear Fillybuster I think it is so unfair as you have a fantastic figure even though you sanck! I seemed to have ballooned from size 12 to size 16 already...

evening all, it has been a long time since the last time i posted.
congrats on the boys and girls - i am having my scan next monday (feel very excited as it is my first).
what do you think on having driving lessons during pregnancy? i am starting next sunday and feel like don't have much time for mistakes or keep it slow.

Congratulations on all the news of boys and girls!! (It's still a surprise here.)

I'm reading the Mongan Hypnobirthing book too and so far so good. I did a bit of visualisation and relaxation during my last 2 pgs and births (the exercises we did at the lying-down bit at the end of the yoga class, which was the best bit imo). That helped more than I could have hoped so I'll be trying to step it up a notch this time. I would dearly love to be Serene of Serenesville

I'm another prolific snacker (mostly on shocking amounts of chocolate). Can't believe how little willpower I have. Even when I'm making my best effort to be healthy it's still all fruit so I must be on a permanent sugar high.

Filly sorry to hear about your sciatica. I can really recommend physio. After being in a fair bit of pain for months in my last pg (could only do the zombie shuffle at times) it almost disappeared after one session of physio. I get it in this pg too, and it gets immediately better if I lie on my back and draw both knees up and as far to the side as possible (10 reps of a few seconds each). I can't remember all the other exercises, but pelvic floor exercises help too.

The pregnancy fog is apparently very real. I read in The Female Brain that this is driven by hormones and will get better once you stop bf. I've been pg or bf or both for 4 years now so I've a great excuse for being permanently vague...

It really does move fast on here. I read everything, but it's so early (over breakfast at about 6am) that I never manage to post much! I need to start reading when I get back from work too..

Nizzy I had the jab a couple of weeks ago. A few people at work have been off with suspoected swine flue, and my Dad is on chemo, so it made the decision easier. I wasn't invited though, I had to ask at reception when I went to the surgery for a midwife appointment. I don't think they had plans to invite people.

wheredidmyfeetgo I don't live too far from you then, near Stroud, and I used to work in Swindon. Haven't been back for a year or so.

As for snacling....since Christmas everyone in my office (of 6 people) has been taking it in turns to bring in the biscuits etc that they don't want to eat at home because we'd wolf the whole box, and so we end up eating them all i nthe office instead. A tin will be gone in a day! And today will be cakes as someone is leaving! I know we don't eat for 2 yet, but it's an excuse that everyone accepts

Well, off to work, so I really will try and catch up this evening (although I'm off to MIL for a roast dinner tonight!)

Morning all.

Last night, when DH was changing DS's bed linen, he found a heartbreaking note under his pillow. It reads:

I had a dog called Poppy
she was my best friend until my parents sold her.
Every night I dream of her.
By DS

The story behind this is that his Father and wife had the dog and DS absolutely adored her, one day when DC's went to their house the dog was gone. They had given her away without telling DC's and hadn't even let them have the chance to say goodbye. Apparently DS was up all that night crying his eyes out.

Just makes me feel so sad for him. Had DH not found the note, we would never have known how it's still affecting him. The dog was given away at the beginning of last September and it still plays on his mind.

Anyway, with regards to how much you lot think you eat in a day, I'm wondering what on earth you must eat when you're not pregnant! Yesterday I had:

2 x chocolate chip cookies
1 x Yoghurt
1 x packet of smoky bacon crisps
1 x Jacket potato with Tuna and sweetcorn
1 x Cadbury's cream egg
1 x Vegetable Biryani (homemade)
1 x Fab ice lolly
2 x chocolate chip cookies
1 x slice of DH's homebaked victoria sponge

I was having a particularly painful SPD day yesterday but could I have been bothered to hobble to the kitchen a few more times I probably would've eaten a lot more!

Morning all,

Barbeasty not too far at all then, Stroud is very pretty, lucky you. I live right in the town centre- 2 mins from the "Magic Roundabout"

Mampam Thats so We have a boxer dog who is nearly 6 (DS2 happens to share her birthday) She had to have a op last Monday so was gone by the time DS's got up. DS1 (just 3) cried his eye out when he found that she wasn't there. They were both so pleased when she came home in the evening. DS1 even read her a story to make her feel better . Your poor DS.

Bobolana I think it's amazing that you are starting driving lessons during pregnancy. There is no way I could add it in to my manic life. I also begrudge paying all that money to learn to drive when I don't really need to because of where we live. Maybe I'll look at doing it when I'm on mat leave and I'll have a bit more cash as hald my salary won't be going on childcare!

Re snacking at 11.30 last night I had 2 pancakes with Golden Syrup