Due April 2006

[MrsQ]

Hello... Technically I'm due on 30 March, but the March list is already quite long and if DS was anything to go by, we'll be well into April by the time this shrimp makes an appearance (fingers crossed, touch wood, etc etc! - still at the early superstitious stage!!). Shall I start with some stats? I'm 34 (will be 35 just after birth), DH is 33. We've got one DS just turned 2.

Hope to have some thread partners soon, I'm v friendly, honest

Pacinfan, how lovely. Can you resist naming her in advance? Congrats to your DH as well.

it's a boy! I'm having another boy!

Me too re boy. At 20 week scan was confirmed as definite. Scan results were good, all organs and limbs there etc. The only concern was that the head diameter was large for me being 20 weeks. I found this quite alarming as we were with the sonographer for ages and she remeasured 4 times and went and fetched a midwife. Conclusion was structure and contents looked normal. They then looked at my due date which was 5 April from LMP and had not been changed after 12 week nuchal fold scan. On crown rump measurement at that stage they now reckon I was a week ahead (and am therefore now 21 weeks with due date put back to 31 March) This would make head diameter large for a 21 week old but still within the "normal range". I was not worried at time until 3am next morning when got really anxious as to whether this was all a fudge. How come noone said before that after 12 week scan I was a week ahead? Am I being over sensitive/anxious ? Any advice anyone? I have had problems with anxiety and depression in my past so know I am prone to be a worrier. Also nobody explained what that would mean if the head was outside the normal range.
Dont suppose it gets any easier once they are born !!!

wow - three of us know. Congratulations to all!! Any names yet?? Do you need suggestions??

So how sick were you all as I am STILL convinced that the sicker you are the more likely it's a girl?

My scan is on 5th December but don't know if I want to know the sex. Sometimes I do, sometimes not, I guess because deep down I'm not that bothered, but it would be nice to know. Either way we neeed a loft conversion so there is somewhere for him/her to sleep .

Pacinofan you must be so relieved. Although we never went ahead with the amnio I remember how I felt even thinking about it so to have it done and then wait for the results......big up to you and all respect, as my eight-year-old would say.

was hideously sick with last one, but hardly sick at all with this one. Both boys.

oh well colditz - bang goes my theory perhaps . Have you thought of any names or is it a secret?

Um, I like Daniel. And Christopher.

I am firmly in the minority round here though. I know a Mason, a Tyler, an Armani, a Bradley, a Destiny, a Skye etc

My first ds's name makes people in the chemist ask for Mister rather than Master, if you see what I mean

oh yes, i see what you mean (took me a while but got there) I like Daniel. I like proper "old fashioned" names. If this baba is a boy I like Patrick.

Oh how exciting that 3 of you know, congrats to all! I am so jeslous, I really hope they can tell me on the 28th, I'm dying to know!

I like more old fashioned names too. I love both Daniel and Patrick, they're lovely. In fact Patrick is on our list for a boy too! Two faves for a boy I think though at the mo are George or Luke (my dh's name is Mark, his Dad is John and his brother Matthew, so just missing the Luke!). Having more probs with girls names as our surname is Evans and many girls names end in a vowel, which doesn't sit well with the vowel at the end of Evans IYSWIM. My husband loves Charlotte, which I like but has been in the Top 10 most common names forever and that puts me off a bit, silly I know. I love Francesca, but DH said a definate no to that (as he did to my fave boys name, Dominic ). All we have agreed on so far is Leah and Caroline. God it's so difficult isn't it!!

FirstTimer - I would try not to worry about measurements slightly outside the norm (if they even were), all babies grow at such different rates there almost is no such thing as "norm". I know it's hard not to think about it, but if they were in any way worried or thought there was some significance to it, they would have ordered more tests, so I'm sure all is well.

Allyco - both my sisters were much sicker with their girls than with their boys, although I had no trace of nausea with my dd. I was sick as a dog this time though so we'll just have to wait and see!

Hello I'd like to join the chat if I may. I'm 35, DH is 33, and DD is 5 (06/00). I'm due April 20th.
Had an emergency CS last time (fetal distress, faliure to dilate) and am very worried about whether to try VBAC or opt for a CS. Also concerned my chocie of hospital (St George's, Tooting) may not be all that fab.

Hello Tongey. Welcome. I had an emergency (ish) c-section 18 months ago (un-diagnosed breech baby). I've decided to go for a VBAC if I possibly can. It's not an easy decision, is it? The hospitals seem to be pushing for VBACs these days. I get the impression that someone who did want another section would have to fight for it.

Welcome tongey

I have not been on for a while as I have been busy, although I am not sure what with now as the time does seem to be flying by!

I am amazed at how well I am feeling at the moment, such a contrast to last time where I also proved the theory wrong about boys and lack of sickness as I was sick until almost 30wks with my DS. I am convinced that this must be a girl as it is the complete opposite to last time and I am carrying differently too. My bump is starting to show quite a bit now and my clothes are defintely getting tighter.

I have a party to go to in a couple of weeks and I am not sure what I am going to wear. I don't go out that often and my usual attire at the moment is DH's tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt. I don't have to dress up for work as I work at home so I can't justify spending much money. I might have to go and look at the maternity exchange shop we have nearby.

I have my 20wk scan on Friday (I will be just over 21wks). With DS I found out he was transversal, but I don't think this one is as I am a different shape. Hopefully they will just tell me that everything is fine and that will be it until arrival day.

Ponka and Tongey, I believe the VBAC thing is a difficult decision, my friend who is 2 weeks behind me is wrestling with the decision now. At least you get a choice in the UK though. Here in the US they are very few physicians or even hospitals that will let you even attempt it, it's so sad for people who really want to! The reason why is what is terrible - it is purely insurance company led. The lawsuits are so out of control here that if the insurance companies think there is even the slightest chance of a problem, they won't insure the doctors/hospitals to do the procedure - isn't that disgraceful - the doctors themselves are all for it, but they're just not allowed.

It was the same when it came to my epidural with dd. The anaesthetist came in and said, well the best thing you can have now is a "walking epidural" where you can still feel your legs and feet, but the labour pain is still totally numbed - but I can't give you one of those I'm afraid as the insurance company won't insure me to do it in case someone actually decides to get up and walk around after the epidural, falls and sues!!!! So I had to have the full paralysis jobby. It's weird having a baby in another country!

Anyway good luck with your decisions, I am in no position to help really as I haven't had a c-section, except to say that my sister had her 1st vaginally, then with no 2 she had placenta previa so had a planned section, and with number 3 she chose to do VBAC. Not because of any rubbish about the maagic of natural birth or anything, but simply because she said overall there was actually less pain with the vaginal birth . She said that although the c-section obviously didn't hurt at the time like the natural way, the recovery was so much longer and sore, especially with other kids to chase after/pick up etc. Sorry I can't be of more help, but I'm sure you'll decide what's best for your families.

Had a docs appointment today and all well, good strong little heartbeat of 140 and measuring right for my dates. Just can't wait for the ultrasound on Monday now

welcome tongey - I'm not the new girl any more!!

Locks, another defeat for my sickness theory!!!

If I can join the VBAC discussion. I had emergency section last time and I definitely want a VBAC this time even though when I went to book-in at the hospital they said I could arrange an elective C-section there and then they seemed quite genuinely surprised that I don't want another one. It is true that at the time it doesn't hurt, but getting over it, at least for me, was much worse after a section and if you have other little ones to care for you're not supposed to lift and carry, you can't drive, blah blah. Also I got an infection in my scar which was very nasty and the hospital weren't at all put out about that. I got the impresion it was par for the course. They offered me antibiotics but said I would have to stop BF while I was on them (FGS I had only just started because DD had been in special care and only just got her sucking reflex). Needless to say I flushed the pills away .

Mrs. Evs - what time is your scan on Monday Will you log straight on and tell all soon as you get back...

oh and Locks, are you finding out the sex when you have your scan (I am finding-out-the-sex crazy so I hope they tell me when I have my scan..)

No, I don't want to know. I like the surprise element of finding out at the delivery. I was convinced DS was a daughter right up until the moment they said he was a boy!!

We have a girls name sorted from last time, but we are still undecided about a boys name, we only thought of DS name about a month before and then when I announced it to my Dad he told me that both names I had chosen were alternatively handed down to the eldest son on his side of the family (I didn't know this, although of course I knew my uncle and grandad's names .

Hee hee, another list with Patrick on it here! Imagine if there were 4 Patricks in April! I also like Alexander shortened to Zander. And lots of names which DH doesn't agree with, like William. Girls I find more difficult. Like Hester, like Judith. Dunno though.

Welcome Tongey. And Colditz and FT40, how lovely to think of your boys in there.

Can't really add to the C-section debate I'm afraid. Can't you change hospitals if you're worried Tongey? I think it's quite easy. What are your concerns? Don't know the St G's myself, living as I do in Scotland!

Allyco, my scan is at 2pm Washington time (so 7pm yours), and probably won't get home until close to 9ish UK time, but I will probably log on that evening, so if you don't see it Monday night you will by Tuesday hopefully. I just know they won't be able to tell me though and I'll be so disappointed!!

MrsEvs why won't they be able to tell you? Are they not allowed? Or are you just like me and thinking "this baby will have its legs crossed"

My DD woke up at 10.30pm last night and cried and cried on and off until 4.20am. took her into our bed, made no difference. I am at work now and am absolutely shattered. How on earth will I do this when I have a new little one....

Hi all. I'm having a girl! DH is a bit diasspointed as we already have dd and this is definitely the last! But I'd rather he was sad now and got over it before the birth.
I always thought I'd opt for an elective cs this time (last time was emergency because of fetal distress and no dilation). But now wonder whether it will be better for my boday to do VBAC. As dd is 5 I won't have a tiny toddler to run about after - she's great at entertaining herself and I think she'll be very helpful. To be honest I'm scared of the cs and the vbac. I just DON'T want an emergency CS again!

wow tongey a girl a GIRL!! Have you any names yet...

I know how you feel about the VBAC -v- Csection although I am determined for a VBAC this time. I'd rather have neither but I think the baby has to come out one way or the other [grin.

Is your DD excited about a baby sister or are you keeping the sex a secret from her?

Hi all
Congrats Tongey re girl, now I know mine is def a boy I look longingly at those little cute pink dresses etc but DH is over the moon (I am too really), Re boys names I like Jack and Seth (although people seem to laugh at the Seth one?)
Had a good chat to the midwife and now feel much happier about my scan results. She was very reassuring re sizes not being that important at this stage and that he was still within normal range, just a big baby. She explained more about the dates etc and it makes sense now.
Also this week I have started to feel him move, which is fantastic, am 22 weeks today, so a bit late but apparently this is because my placenta is at the front and cushions it a bit. He somersaults now as soon as I go to bed.
Also turned 40 this week and had a lovely relaxing day off work. Very tired on the days I go to work though and looks like I will have to work until week 34 or so, so I had better get used to it I think.
Any advice re baby monitors (as in is it really necessary)as am trying to save money and only buy essentials?
This thread seems to have gone a bit quiet compared to some - is everyone OK?

We had two baby monitors passed on to us FT40, and used neither. Found that the initial phase of baby being in room with us got us to know her noises pretty well, and we could hear them with doors open when she moved to her own room. Think we passed them on again or I would offer them to you! How far will baby's room be from yours?

Allyco dd desperately wants a sister but I've decided to lety it be a suroise for her - I know she'll be overjoyed! There's always that 1% chance it turns out to be a boy after all. Yesterday wanted a VBAC today want a cs. I am a very indecisive person! The silly thing is I don't get to talk to the obstetrician who will have my notes from my old hospital until 33 weeks. Until then it all seems rather academic. But am going to see the Birth Centre in Tooting tomorrow and am geeting advice from a midwife friend of a friend on St George's Tooting vs. St Thomas'.

Hello folks, and welcome Tongey. Tongey, I am having a girl too and have been busy all week sorting out dd's baby clothes. No names whatsoever and we think we will try and suprise our family by announcing her name when she arrives so at least that will be a suprise. Everyone but everyone knows we are having a girl! Can't keep good news like this to ourselves.

Feeling good, a little less tired and sickness almost disappeared. Piling weight on (have gone from 8st 11lbs to 10 stone) so trying to cut back on 'treats'. Very, very relieved my amnio is behind us now. Almost 3 weeks ago and am just feeling able to relax a bit more about things now. I have my 20 week scan 5th December. Unfortunately dh is away working but my mum is coming and she is so excited. Now I know baby is fine from amnio results am really looking forward to it.

Hope everyone well,