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

Haven't been on for ages, but have been trying to keep up with all the posts. Great news on all the latest healthy scans and hi to all the new joiners.

Still haven't made an purchases, and the list of things to/research do seems to be getting longer and longer. Spent a little time this weekend looking into double buggys and bigger cars. But in the end I'm think I just freaked myself out and haven't made any decisions. Unfortunately won't be able to afford any help once the kids arrive, so will have to just cope. There is rumours about help being available if you have 3 children under a certain age (someone said 3YO, someone said 5YO) but I can't find out anything definite. Will need to get ahold of a health visitor/midwife at some point.

Have reverted to extreme tiredness - went to bed at 7pm last night and got 12 hours sleep before had to get up with DD at 7am. Felt great this morning but am knackered again and think I will slope off to bed again soon!

Thanks for all the good wishes on the palpations front. Haven't heard anything from the hospital - either the antenatal or the cardiology units - so I assume they aren't worried about them.

LaTrucha I keep sporadically looking on Ebay but haven't found anything yet. Like you say it is a bit random.

RnB Good to hear from you. SPD is steadily getting worse, unfortunately. Hopefully having some acupuncture with the Physio on Friday. She did say that it may take a couple of sessions to feel the effects and it will only give a bit of relief for 3-4 days at a time. I'll take any amount of relief TBH. I've taken to sleeping on the sofa as it's much softer than our bed. I'm a bit annoyed as my parents were going to pay for us to have a half term break in Cornwall but we didn't bother as I wouldn't be able to do anything. Why pay to go and sit and be bored in another house when I could do it for free at home!! I know Cornwall is only and hour or so away from me but I can't sit in the car for that long, it's agony when I get out. God knows what DC's are going to be like this half term, I can't take them out anywhere, not even to the park. Caged animals springs to mind.

I actually winced when I read that you had kicked the bottom drawer!! . I know the exact feeling. OOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW!! How is your lower back? I can feel the base of my spine clicking and clunking when I walk. I hate the thought of bones doing that.....makes me cringe.

Hope everyone has had a lovely valentines day. DH made me a special trifle!! . It's one of my cravings. (and it had a bit of sherry in it he he he [naughty girl emoticon]).

GG I had three under 4 and certainly wasn't offered any help but if it's any consolation when i could afford a nanny it was more trouble than it worth, like having another child and the cleaner was rubbish too, I won't be bothering again.

Ooh very jeallous of your trifle Mampam I've been craving that too. Will definitely have to buy/make some now.

MrsC09 Try not to worry about the amoxicillin, its definitely one of the antibiotics recommended for UTI in pregnancy and that dose is within the usual range. Sounds abolutely fine to me.

GibberingGinger definitely ask your health visitor what help is available in your area. I know of people who've had a homestart volunteer to help them after having twins and have found it so helpful.

I've been thinking about names again the last few days. One of the names DH and I both like I initially said we couldn't have as it would give the baby the same full name as a famous fictional character. DH doesn't think this would be a problem, but i'm not convinced. What do you all think?

Sorry last post was a bit self indulgent.

Mampam, I got some bits off Ebay last time, but it really is hit and miss. My favorite over the bump combat style trousers came off ebay. I just about live in them. A lot of my tops come from mothercare and seem to fit really well. However agree that trousers are the most difficult. I've been really lucky and have borrowed a lot of stuff off my sister this time

for all of you with UTIs. They are a nightmare. I think amoxycillin for a week (or even 10 days) is reasonably common MrsC09. Though I must admit I detest antibiotics myself. They play havoc with my digestive system. So much sympathy to you all.

No valentines plans in this house, but it was our wedding anniversary the other day. Got a lovely card for DH, (two ladybirds kissing on the front and Husband J'aime.... - sounds yuk but as anniversary cards go it was ok) unfortunately when I opened it to write it the night before our anniversary it said Happy Birthday on the inside Ooops. Baby brain strikes again. Hadn't bothered to check the message inside, and to be fair I had selected it in the anniversary section! Ah well, its the thought that counts!

Congrats on all the positive scan results CSWS, filly - hoorah!

gizmo I must admit to also PMSL at your dustbunnies analogy. You are being extremely calm and sensible re. all this testing (which can only be a good thing). And extra scans are a bonus in some ways.

woofie gosh that sounds really scary. Glad all is ok now.

gibbering I am also incredibly tired. I am reading a book about twins and it revealed that up until 26 weeks, each twin is the same size as a singleton. We are pumping twice the amount of blook around as normal! No wonder we're knackered....
Do let me know the findings of your buggy/car research. I was going to use a P&T's plus sling but my friend wants the P&T, so want to get a doublebuggy suitable from birth. Cars am leaving to DH.

greensnail it largely depends on whom the fictional character is. MickeyMouse maybe no, but huckleberryfinn gets a thumbs up! Are you willing to reveal the name to us?

And thanks filly for Doula website link. Really helpful.

CSWS look at Taxnanny for converting from net to gross and vice versa.

hmm, not sure I should reveal my last name, you never know who may be reading this . Its a very well known female character from classic literature. Thinking about it, DH's aunt has the same name so I suppose I should ask her what kind of reactions it gets.

greensnail I know another person of that name (as I know your surname I can guess what it is) - in fact she married into the name so in a way she chose it!

Just had a long train journey from Edinburgh, off to bed in a sec but so nice to catch up with everyone's news! Ouch to all those with UTIs though ... hope it all clears up v soon ... and ouch-ouch-ouch to those with SPD ...

Ooh your trifle sounds fab mampam! We had our Valentine's Day yesterday as I was travelling today - went for a lovely walk, cafe, art gallery, M&S food in front of The Bourne Identity ... was very nice.

So georgee, would you think it strange if we chose to give our child that name? We're finding it very hard to find girl's names that we both like so this might have to be a compromise.

I cannot describe just how goooood that trifle was

Have had sooo much that I'm definitely going on a serious healthy eating regime as of tomorrow. I'll be the size of a house soon if I don't!!

Hope everyone had a good weekend Mampam, I am hugely of your trifle...my 'custard' habits are a bit of a joke between me and dh at any time, but I'm now pretty much mainlining the stuff when I get the chance I share the clothes pain (although am and that you were still fitting into normal clothes until now!) but agree that ebay can be good - it is a bit hit & miss but generally the value of the good things outweights money wasted on stuff that doesn't suit/fit (if you're like me and stick to the sub £5 items, anyway!!). At least we'll all be able to wear normal stretchy long summer skirts once the weather warms up - mine all seem to last all the way through my pg's

LittleRobbo, you've never tried marmite???? Really??? You really do have to come to tea!

Woofie, glad the scare wasn't anything too serious, but for UTI. Hope you enjoy the rest of half term week anyway...

No valentines here. We officially delayed it until tonight (after years of grumbling about overpriced meals in over-full restaurants etc!) and also don't like being made to be 'romantic' on a specified day...so have a lovely dinner and babysitter booked for tonight...except dh is now wfh with a tummy bug today, so I suspect dinner isn't going to happen....shame Never mind, I'm on leave from Wednesday to Monday (hurrah!) and we're off to Woolley Grange on Thursday morning with the dcs for a long weekend, so hopefully we'll all be fighting fit by then and have a great break...

Hi greensnail - I don't think it's strange (I bet 80% of the population wouldn't know it was the name of a fictional character anyway!) and the chances are she might shorten it anyway? It's a lovely first name, I was thinking of it myself but our surname's too long (my Yahoo surname is my maiden name). But maybe I'm not one to ask - our best combination of first names for a boy was 'George Michael' ...

ooh greensnail I'm really curious now. (but I won't ask you to confirm). I reckon if its Elizabeth Bennet then you are probably ok, cause she's a good strong character. If its Moll Flanders then it's a bit more dubious naming your daughter after a incestuous prostitute! Mind you you've got 50% chance of a boy so you may not have to make the decision anyway, just have it on the shortlist.

We are COMPLETELY stumped for names. One of the boys will have John as a middle name after DH's father who died suddenly last year. Apart from that we are stuck. Girls are easy, we had Annie, Lizzie, Annabel as favourites and a huge list of others that were also in the running. Another 15 weeks to choose though

Fillybuster/LittleRobbo, I'm another one who has never tried marmite. just never got round to it.

Oooh greensnail do tell or at least a little clue??? We are really struggling with names as all the boys names we like are lovely on there own but along with ds' they sound like to labradors!!

oooh oooh made delicious marmite & cheese straws the other day - the thought of them now though makes me feel a bit queasy as had so many!!

i am suddenly enormous....looking forward to mw appt on Thurs to check i am the right size for my dates - i felt so neat up until a week ago and eating habits haven't changed that much, I think it's going to be a biggy!

woofie how scary, glad all is okay apart from pesky uti.

Thanks for all the doula/home help links, am getting seriously tempted as don't have any family nearby although we will be thoroughly broke when the baby arrives because of house extension etc...oh it would be bliss though...

My Doula has just popped around to see the hypno birthing lady, it feels like a real team job getting this baby out which is fantastic, we all sat in the kitchen drinking tea whilst my older children played the recorders for them and chatting about the birth plan, so lovely am really looking forward to the event now

We have had our boys name for years and of course now it's really popular all of a sudden but I'm still going to use it as it fits beautifully with the girls names, just not sure about middle names and the order.

Anyone else thinking about Christenings yet ? Am just a bit concerned because when DD2 was born in June all the weddings meant that lots of places were fully booked.

Oh, you guessed it GibberingGinger. We spell it with 2 t's though so I suppose its slightly different. Do you really think people wouldn't know that georgee? I got a lot of comments about becoming Mrs Bennett when I got married, but I suppose you're right - most men probably haven't read it so that's 50% of the population down already! She would probably be known as Lizzie anyway, will definitely keep it on the list, thanks everyone!

We're also having valentines day tonight as DD is staying with my parents so I don't have to take her with me to the hospital tomorrow. Not sure where we're going as the restaurant I had picked isn't open on mondays so will have to wait until DH comes home to make a decision. We never normally go out actually on valentines night anyway, as I don't like paying extra to sit in a crowded restaurant full of other couples. Working shifts I'm often working the actual night as well so we're quite used to celebrating things on odd days! Hope your DH feels better and you manage to get out for some dinner too fillybuster. MillyMollyMoo that sounds really lovely .

I think I should start thinking about birth plans etc too. I decided not to have a birth plan first time around, but just to be open and see how things go. I have a few ideas of things I would like to go a bit different this time though, so definitely need to jot them down somewhere while I think of them. I must also rememer to ask the consultant tomorrow when they think i'm likely to need to deliver this time around (induced at 36 weeks last time), as that will help me plan too.

I know I would 'recognise' Lizzy Bennett, Greensnail (don't Elizabeth's family refer to her as Lizzy?) but it's an excellent name with such positive connotations I would just think 'what a lovely name.' I might pause at Moll Flanders, mind you.

Sounds like you have a proper squadron of cheerleaders there, Milly and how nice for the kids to think of birth as such a social and enjoyable event - like christmas.

Mampam, RnB so sorry about the SPD - I can only only hope a combination of acupuncture and trifle might help to give you some temporary reprieve. I can't work out which is worse - sudden and unpredictable attacks of debilitating pain or chronic incapicitation. It stinks either way, doesn't it? Although I'm in remission at the moment I'm under no illusion that the attacks are going to get frequent as the pounds mount up.

For those who have done the hypnobirthing course already I wondered what your experience was with the second stage of labour? I'm very interested in the relaxation techniques for the first phase but I'm (to put it mildly) sceptical about the theory that actively pushing should be resisted in favour of letting the body exercise it's 'natural expulsive urges' I spent 2.5 hours resisting the urge to push with DS1 (cervical lip that wouldn't move) and a) it was agony and b) I saw no sign of the body's 'natural expulsive urges' kicking in. So at the moment I'm trying to factor in 'relaxed pushing' if that makes any sense whatsoever!

Filly we also tend to avoid the Valentine's day by rote feeling of going to a restaurant - had our traditional steak and chips at home last night and then went to bed (and straight to sleep - very romantic!) by 10 pm. Couldn't save it for tonight, unfortunately as....DH has gone abroad again! .

Hello all,

Interesting question Gizmo.

Greensnail - I wouldn't balk at an Elizabeth Bennet. I think Elizabeth is a beautiful name. She could always opt for Bess. You could also give her an alternative middle name in case she gets sick of it. I did know a Barbara Allen (not so well known but a folk tune) at school and she was sick of it.

We celebrate the anniversary of our first coffee on the 13th, so Valentine's Day problems are solved for us. When we were arranging the 'first date' I thought to myself it musn't be on Valentine's as it would look too much. Now I am so glad I made that decision! We probably wouldn't celebrate it anyway. We don't do mothyer's /father's day either as the dates are different in Spain and Britain and it would all be a bit much.

We are totally stuck for boys names. We're not in love with any boys names. We had a cracking list for a girl. We sat the other night and had a think and couldn't raise more enthusiasm than, 'It's ok. Put it on the list.' Let's hope inspiration strikes in the next few months. If it doesn't he'll be Jose MAnuel, which fits none of our criteria, but is DH's and FIL's name.

I'm the opposite - had boys' names sorted but now we're having a girl I'm finding it really difficult! Top names are Isla, Fay, Nina (at present).

greensnail I suppose there's just been this Pride and Prejudice enthusiasm in our generation with Colin Firth etc but I wonder whether actually it might fade for the next generation so the name might not be so widely recognisable. I agree with everyone else though, if people do recognise it, she is a great character. How about Libby for a short version? I really like Libby and am thinking of adding it to my own shortlist!

Hi all

Haven't posted for a while but floated in and out but this thread moves so fast I can't keep up! Hope all is going ok with everyone and that we are all beginning to feel better after those earlier symptoms.

I'm ok apart from the nose bleeds everything else seems to have vanished including my wardrobe! Definately now in maternity clothes but then guess most of us are at 22 weeks! Currently on school hols so have got a week off to recover from a raging sore throat and stinkin cold that I went down with middle of last week, I guess the plus is that i'm not at work.

We had our 20 week scan a fortnight ago and all is going well. We now know that we are having a boy which we've thought from the beginning! We are happy that he is healthy and he was sucking his thumb on the scan which was cute

Anyone else having nosebleeds regularly?

Bubs is definately moving around more these days flipping and kicking out - can't wait for my partner to be able to feel it

Take care all and hope that you all keep well

My birth plan is all sorted, as follows:

Filly's Birth Plan

1. Self-induce by means of castor oil at 41 weeks to avoid hospital induction.

1. Dont bother going into hospital for at least 8 hours after contractions start despite it being baby #3 as it is guaranteed to be

a) back to back b) the beginning of a 25-30 hour labour so no need to rush

1. When eventually arriving in hospital don't both spending 12 hours on gas and air this time.

1. Go for the epidural and get midwife to place filly on left hand side position in hope of baby turning before delivery (worked with dd and avoided ventouse/epesiotomy nightmares with ds although sadly didn't prevent bad tearing)

1. Try to relax and get some sleep during first 15 hours of hospital labour as its going to be slow regardless

1. Deliver (large) baby 'naturally' with lots of tearing/big epesiotomy/loads of stitches internal and external.

1. Contract uterine infection which will also cause infected stitches and require multiple batches of antibiotics to clear.

For what its worth, I don't recommend the above to anyone....

Of course this could be the one that catches me by surprise but somehow I doubt it. To be honest, as long as it doesn't end up being more complicated than the list above, I'll still consider myself fairly lucky

Last day of work before half term break....hurrah! Am planning a haircut, wax and facial tomorrow - very very excited as its a couple of years since I had anything like that in a day...got given some vouchers for my birthday last year that I am finally going to use up beore we go away

Bluesnowfalcon I've been suffering with nosebleeds as well. Though I did last time as well so its not a surprise. Have only had a couple of "gushers" fortunately. Mostly it's just small bleeds, mostly at night which result in a few spots on my pillow, and me having to spend 5 minutes in the morning removing the crusty blood from my nose which normally results in another bleed! The wonderful things about pregnancy that they never tell you about. Aparently nose bleeds are fairly common and nothing to worry about. Somthing to do with all the extra blood rushing round your system, and to stop your blood pressure going too high the capillaries dilate, hence more likely to burst in senstive areas like your nose.

A quick update of the stats, we must be getting close to the end of the 20 week scans, but have a lot of gaps in the list - nobody else want to share what they are having?

27th-3rd - ScaredofEverything, 33, #2
30/05 GoodName, 31, #1 BOY
31/05 RnB, 31, #3
31/05 dinosaurinmybelly (DIMB), 37, #3 GIRL
31/05 - mampam, 30 #3
1st - Washersaurus , 33, #3
1st - ELM, 29, #2
1st - bambino02, 23, #2
1st - whenwillisleepagain, 42 #2
1st - PogueMahone, 35, #3
2nd - scrappydappydoo, #3
2nd - MrsGravy, 33, #3
2nd - meggymegmegs, 31, #1 SURPRISE
2nd - Justbeme , 41 #3
2nd - AlwaysHopeful, 35, #2 SURPRISE
3rd - nickytwotimes, 35, #2
3rd - Tafftaff, 36, #2
3rd - Jenba, ?, #3
3rd - Flossysmum, #4
3rd - marmiteaddict, 31, #1 SURPRISE
4th - minimoonumbertwo, 33, #2
4th - madamefreckle, 34,#2 GIRL
4th - sunshiney, 34, #2
5th - Dizzymac, 35 No.3
6th - zumm, 37, #1
7th - MrsC09, 29 #1 SURPRISE
7th - mumandlovingit, 28 #3
7th/11th - PorridgeBrain, 34, no. 2
8th - LittleRobbo, 35, #3 GIRL
8th - Tobermory, #2
8th - Saucepanman, 31, #4
8th - MrsAlwaysRight 31, #2
9th - greensnail, 28, #2 SURPRISE
10th - charlottew 32, #1
10th - upsydaisysexstylist #3
11th - woofie, 33, # 2 BOY
11th - amandajo, 34, #3 SURPRISE
12th - UnrequitedSkink, 33, no. 2
12th - Rangemaster 29, #3
12th - Georgee, 38, #1 GIRL
12th - Fabi76, 33 #1
12th - Elena67, 43 #1
13th - ChairmumMiaow, 29, #2
13th - sobloodystupid, 34, #3
14th - Fillybuster, 36, #3 - NOT TELLING!
15th - MummyWantsANewBag, #2
15th - Ponymum, 41, # 2
15th - Millymollymoo, ?, #4 BOY
16th - NizzyNoodles, 35, #3 BOY
16th - Flossie69, 40,#2
17th - Bluesnowfalcon 28 #1 BOY
17th - Summerhols, 31, #1
17th - Barbeasty, 30, #1 GIRL
17th - chestnut100,30 #1 GIRL
17th - MomBanks, #2 BOY
18th - Virgo1979, SURPRISE
18th - theperfectbaguette 34 #1
19th - Ladyemmalou83, 26 #1
20th - addictedtofrazzles, 33, #2
21st - Gizmo, 39, #3 GIRL
21st - Sunworshipper, 36, #1
22nd - gaelicsheep, 33, #2 - NOT TELLING
23rd - Sunshineday 39 #5
23rd - Earlyonemorning, 35, #4,
23rd - SecretLemonadeDrinker, 23, #3
23rd - IckleJess, #4 BOY
23rd - Bobolana, 29 #1 Girl
24th - GibberingGinger 34 #2+3 BOYS
25th - Ilovemyterrier, 38 #1
25th - readysetgo, #1
26th - Celery, 34 #4
26th - herewegrow 31 #2 GIRL
26th - imkeepingmum, #1, SURPRISE
27th - Stac14, 30 #2 -
27th - muchchocolate, #2
27th - nikkisbump #1
28th - diznom 32 #1
28th - Wheredidmyfeetgo 32 #3
29th - CantSleepWontSleep, 36, no3, SURPRISE
29th - MrsDmamee #3
29th - MumfieMagic, 37 #1,
29th - playftseforme, no 2 + 3
29th - JBroRo, 30 #1.
30th - Monthlymayhem, 34, no. 2 BOY
30th - MonkeyMargot, 35, #2+3
30th - LaTrucha, 36, #2 BOY

Hi everyone,

Sorry I've been a bit quiet recently, had some quite shocking news that has really hit us for six. My best friend who only just got married in November has been diagnosed with cancer and it looks like it's extremely advanced although the details are currently sketchy and nothing much is confirmed yet. She's gone from being a happy, healthy 32 year old to a virtual skeleton in a matter of weeks . I am trying my best to be there for her and rally around her and her dh, but it's an awful and incredibly upsetting time .

Trying to stay as positive as poss for the sake of the baby, but I feel (irrationally) guilty that I seem to be growing fast and getting bigger each time I see her whilst she's going in the opposite direction. Everyone is telling me to not get stressed and not to worry, but it's just not that easy.

Anyway, sorry for the non-pg related update, but it's just dominating all my thoughts at the moment.

Back to pg related stuff - greensnail Elizabeth is our #1 name too. We like Betty as a nn. Also like Florence and Louis for a boy, although all the recent hype on here about Florence being the next big name is putting me off a bit. Maybe I should ignore it as everyone oop north where I'm from seems to be a bit when I mention it, so maybe it'll stay a rarity and it's more of a southern thing... not sure.

bluesnowfalcon nosebleeds yes, pretty much every other day! Especially attractive and professional when I'm in an important meeting at work and the drips start. Nothing like that to draw attention to yourself for all the wrong reasons.

Meggymegs - that's just awful. I'm so sorry. It's great that you can spend so much time with her. Even if it's difficult, I'm sure you'll never regret it. You also have responsibility to your new baby and to enjoy it and to grow is a part of that. I have an almost similar situation in that I am pregnant while my father is dying of cancer. What I said to myself when my Mum died in 2008 was that it is just as much a part of life as the lovely stuff, just a part we're not often forced to look at. It is, though, very difficult not to be overwhelmed by the opposing emotions. I hope you get a good outlook for her. So sad in a young person.

Georgee - what were your boy names?

Filly - LOL at birth plan.

I'll never forget writing my birthplan at 37 weeks + and inside of a week it had been thrown out the window in every single respect!

Birth plan this time.

1. Try and actually make it into labour this time.

2. Try to get that babe out quick, whichever way I can, so I don't have to have another c-section. I know it wouldn't be as bad as last time, but I do want to avoid it.

3. Concurrently, try to relax and truct my body

Bit of a birth plan, eh?

On that note, can anyone out there remember if any of the pain killing drugs can slow down labour? I have a feeling there are some but am not going back to ante-natal this time. If there are, I'm avoiding those ones.