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The Continuing Adventures of the First Time Frolicker Graduates....

955 replies

Hermya321 · 01/05/2010 20:01

Right (plonks self down and breaks out the biscuit tin and tea bags), I've stuck the kettle on. Whose joining me?

ARRIVALS:

Fulhamgirl - EDD 30th May - DOB 9th Apr - Girl - Lily Ann - 4lb

CURRENT__GRADUATES:

Trying4Baby1 - BFP 21st Aug - 25th Apr - Girl
Kaystar - BFP 27th Aug - EDD?
Pepperonipizza - BFP 12th Sep - 24th May - Boy
Ladyemmalou83 - BFP 13th Oct - 23rd Jun - Girl - Erin Elizabeth
bluesnowfalcon - BFP 14th Oct - EDD?
DesperateHousewife21 - BFP 3rd Nov - EDD 18th Jul - Boy - Dylan
Spirael - BFP 7th Nov - EDD 25th Jul - Secret
Curlycasper - BFP 11th Nov - EDD 21st Jul - Girl
EmsieRo - BFP 16th Nov - EDD 20th Jul
vix206 - BFP 8th Dec - EDD 22nd Aug
HypotheticalMummy - BFP 9th Dec - EDD?
Ozziegirly - BFP 16th Dec - EDD 24th Aug
NovemberAli - BFP 24th Dec - EDD 2nd Sep
Eleanora - BFP 28th Dec - EDD 4th Sep
WhiteRoses - BFP 11th Jan - EDD 15th Sep - Boy
hamsterlover - BFP 11th Jan - EDD?
Hobnob - BFP 17th Jan - EDD 26th Sep
MadameG - BFP 17th Jan - EDD 16th Sep
pixiestix - BFP 18th Jan - EDD 24th Sep
ceebs05 - BFP 22nd Jan - EDD 29th Sep
addie81 - BFP 28th Jan - EDD 8th Oct
chancewouldbeafinething - BFP 1st Feb - EDD 11th Oct
WorrisomeHeart - BFP 29th Jan - EDD 12th Oct
Hermya321 - BFP 12th Feb - EDD 24th Oct
fudgecat - BFP 19th Feb ? EDD 28th Oct
Pidgin - BFP 27th Feb - EDD?
Honeymoo - BFP ? - EDD 1st Nov
YorkshireTeaDrinker - BFP 1st Mar - EDD 6th Nov
DrewsGirl - BFP 4th Mar - EDD?
bunnygirl80 - BFP 12th Mar - EDD 19th Nov
Mumnerves - BFP 1st Apr - EDD 8th Dec
Spanishlady - BFP 3rd Apr - EDD?
luckyseven - BFP 8th Apr - EDD 17th Dec
Capricorn76 - BFP 12th Apr - EDD 1st Jan
Homebound - BFP 30th Apr - EDD 8th Jan

FUTURE_GRADUATES:

aly323
Ariesgirl
Bellaby
calligraphy82
Calyx
CaveMum
chalky3
cher rycobbler
claireinthecommunity
Dinkytinky
evilgiraffe
FelicityFlick
haloflo
Kaloki
kkas
kurl yvoice
misshoohaa
MrsWajs
Muser
Papertiger
pinkiePoo
pipsicles
seablue
Sevans
Stiffybyn g
Wannamummy
Zippys

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Bellaby · 08/06/2010 21:46

Thanks very much pixiestix - I very much doubt I would be able to keep it from them for that long but we shall see.

I love mini cheddars - in fact the thought of them is making me hungry....

OneOf8 · 08/06/2010 22:09

Hi Bellaby

Yes, you must tell the employer at least 15 weeks prior to the begining of the week the baby is due. If this is missed, it can give the employer reason not to pay SMP/company Mat pay as you have not met your "obligation"

It would be best to tell someone sooner/soon as you are comfortable so they can do a risk assessment, and cover points such as things to avoid etc even in an office job - for example toner - I only found out 2 years ago this could cause mc (very small chance but a risk to avoid all the same!) and also general stuff like moving around etc and not to cross your legs! (bit of advice as NOT doing this is what got us here!)

I have done my own assessment, as although my senior bosses know they will not be gossiping like the H&S guy!

Hope this helps!

OneOf8 · 08/06/2010 22:22

sorry - cross posts with pixiestix - you are correct

As some due dates are mid/end of the week they say the begining of the week 15 weeks prior to EDD - this is absolute minimum.

You should also notify them of the date you wish to take ML.

Not all employers request this in writing (I dont) but I do request the ML dates are in writing.

From notification of Mat leave, they have 28 days to write to you confirming your entitlements etc.

bunnygirl80 · 09/06/2010 00:07

Hermya that bleeding sounds scary. Congrats on your little boy, and well done on correctly guessing.

Thanks for the offer of the shovel - personally I'm hoping for something far more painful and embarrassing to happen to him

ozzie a pox is exactly the kind of thing he deserves!

spirael As I was on a temporary contract there's very little I can do. I was fully expecting it not to be renewed, but the sexist comments that the news was delivered with that annoyed me so much.

Poor you bashing your bump. My friend ended up with little burns all over hers towards the end of her pg because she kept getting too close to the hob when she was cooking

Yorkshire nice to see you. Glad to hear things are progressing nicely for you, although the car accident must have been a bit of a scare.

pixie there's nothing wrong with having a week or so of being self indulgent and moping. I doubt we'll ever get chance for that again once our LOs are here, as they'll need entertaining no matter how moody we're feeling

bellaby the lack of mat pay here is a bit but the government are considering it at the moment and lots of women are campaigning against it. Their arguement is that you shouldn't have children and then expect the taxpayer to fund you There is other money available though - we can get something called the baby bonus (although DH and I earn over the threshold for this) and there are some tax benefits that some people get as well. I think lots of women just end up going back to work quite early as well.

Thanks for your support over my horrible boss. What really annoyed me about him was the fact that he said he'd replaced me in case my woman hormones took over. He also suggested that if I did want to continue to work for the company (not likely given his attitude) that I could just go to another practice even further away from home. When I said that if I'm going to work in a new practice I'll work in Sydney he replied that using his logical man's brain he had thought that if I'm willing to travel to my current job that travelling even further and being away from home even longer would be ok

Clearly it's just my illogical woman's brain that is making me hope he gets some sort of std that will make his tiny penis itch until it drops off [evil grin]

We did actually meet in a cafe for him to deliver the news, and he had a hot chocolate. When I left he had hot chocolate and cream remnants creating a rather fetching moustache that I didn't bother to tell him about. That made me feel better in a small way!

I'm going to go and get my NSW driving licence today, so that's going to involve a fun morning queuing for 2 hours in the motor registry waiting to be seen by one of the world's most miserable people. Will have to make sure my hair and make up look ok for my photo

chancewouldbeafinething · 09/06/2010 08:53

Morning Ladies!

Hello bellaby! Congrats to the new BFP Pipsicles Bunny your boss is a DH! i cant believe that. I guess the fact that you were on a contract in the first place tells you something about the way he operates. In OZ there are a lot of laws that help bosses 'get rid' of people in case they dont like them, and having contracts that expire is one of them. If you are employed on a F/T contract it is almost impossible to fire someone unless you can prove they have stolen from you. But to add all that bullshit about your hormones....unbelievable! You see not all aussie men are weeping buggers that go on cooking shows! (maybe more of them should) The only positive is that you seem to have found a better job closer to home anyway

Ozzie make sure you let us know how DH gets on this week with the jobs!

hermya Congratulations on your little boy! looks like the racing cars wont be an issue after all sorry to hear about your placenta troubles, hopefully in the next 12 weeks it will move enough, on the positive side you get another chance to see him

pixie sorry you are not feeling like you are blooming...i know how you feel. I have decided to make an extra effort with make up and hair so i stop feeling so frumpy. Going to treat myself to get my legs waxed, shoulder massage and a pedicure this week to try and brighten myself up....i am going to Ascot next week and so far can not even think about what i am going to wear that will not look hideous compared to my non pregnant friends with their dresses, heels and hats! i am in search of a nice maxidress....still looking.

Spirael Great to hear you are feeling good - if a bit battered around the bump. I am jealous of your maternity leave, i have just over 7 weeks to go, and have tried to work in a few holidays to break it up as you did...looking forward to having friday off to myself.

Fudge it feels good to make it to the half way point doesnt it? when is your scan?

yorkshire Good to hear from you - we thought you were lost good luck catching up....we will forgive you if you dont read all 20 pages!

bunny good luck at the rta today, i am looking forward to spending hours there very soon

I have been having problems sleeping this week, LO decides to kick BIG time as soon as i lay down...in any position. a few weeks ago i would have loved it, now i am thinking if only it was a little less...never happy are we? but its reassuring that he must be happy in there. I have ordered my moses basket, being delivered to my mums in sydney as she wants to start making sheets for it which is very sweet. I think its called organic seed pod, its lovely and even the mattress is completely organic

hope every one has a good day xx

chalky3 · 09/06/2010 12:18

Went for an early scan today because of the brown bleeding I've been having. They think I've had a miscarriage but I have to go back for more blood tests on Friday to see if HCG levels are falling or rising

pixiestix · 09/06/2010 12:47

Oh Chalky, I'm so so sorry. Hopefully they are wrong and will find out that your HCG levels are still rising on Friday. How are you holding up? [huge hugs]

Oneof 8 - I thought you would know a bit more accurately than me! Your post reminded me about my own risk assessment - I told my workplace unofficially at 6 weeks, then officially at 17 weeks. I am now 24+5 and they still haven't carried out any kind of assessment on me. Just yet another way of displaying how little they value their workers.

Chance - Ascot! Ooh how glam! I think a bit of pampering is what we all need at the moment. Not quite as "jet-set" as you but I am going on holiday with my mum in a couple of weeks so we are going to have some serious girly time, which hopefully will involve lots of lotions and potions!

Bunny - Im LMAO at the thought of his chocolate-cream moustache! So evil and yet so subtle!!
I am thought at women campainging against maternity leave though! Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. Of course you shouldn't have a baby on the assumption that the tax payer will fund it, but what's wrong with having a bit of a leg up towards maintaining a career AND having some precious time with your child? Especially as most of us have been putting in to the "taxpayers pot" for all of our adult lives. People are weird!

Ouch at all the tales of bruising and burning bumps! I am so protective of mine. A child nearly fell headfirst into it the other day, and I went into automatic defense mode. From the worried look his mum gave me I could tell she had been there herself, and didn't mind me leaping out of the way so that her child fell straight on to the pavement!

pixiestix · 09/06/2010 12:47

Oh Chalky, I'm so so sorry. Hopefully they are wrong and will find out that your HCG levels are still rising on Friday. How are you holding up? [huge hugs]

Oneof 8 - I thought you would know a bit more accurately than me! Your post reminded me about my own risk assessment - I told my workplace unofficially at 6 weeks, then officially at 17 weeks. I am now 24+5 and they still haven't carried out any kind of assessment on me. Just yet another way of displaying how little they value their workers.

Chance - Ascot! Ooh how glam! I think a bit of pampering is what we all need at the moment. Not quite as "jet-set" as you but I am going on holiday with my mum in a couple of weeks so we are going to have some serious girly time, which hopefully will involve lots of lotions and potions!

Bunny - Im LMAO at the thought of his chocolate-cream moustache! So evil and yet so subtle!!
I am thought at women campainging against maternity leave though! Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. Of course you shouldn't have a baby on the assumption that the tax payer will fund it, but what's wrong with having a bit of a leg up towards maintaining a career AND having some precious time with your child? Especially as most of us have been putting in to the "taxpayers pot" for all of our adult lives. People are weird!

Ouch at all the tales of bruising and burning bumps! I am so protective of mine. A child nearly fell headfirst into it the other day, and I went into automatic defense mode. From the worried look his mum gave me I could tell she had been there herself, and didn't mind me leaping out of the way so that her child fell straight on to the pavement!

pixiestix · 09/06/2010 12:48

Ooh a double post, not quite sure why it did that!

OneOf8 · 09/06/2010 16:45

Chalky massive hugs - I really hope everything turns out well. Just sorry nothing can be said to make the wait till Friday any more bearable.

If it makes any difference, the conception date I was given from scan from LMP method of dating was over 2 weeks out based on measurements which was done at scan due to bleeding - which meant they had trouble as was looking for something nearly 9 weeks but was 6 + bit wks. I hope this helps and it was just too early to see anything but your levels continue to rise xx

OneOf8 · 09/06/2010 17:04

Pixiestix, what role do you do? Although most health and safety is common sense, there are somethings which are not - like the toner example...

Sorry if you mentioned it beforere type of work (or if you'd rather not say) - Think it is really poor show of the company. I book my girls in with the H&S guy soon as they tell me as can be a couple of weeks wait as we're multi site - and we do checks as they get bigger as mainly based at workstations.

Only reason I have done my own is I am trying to keep it quiet for as long as possible and the Guy loves to talk!...and the fact my desk is a tip as soooo busy surfing the net and they will make me change it back in line with HSE recommendation

aly323 · 09/06/2010 17:47

Hello everyone! I'm feeling too gross and tired to do a proper post, but I really wanted Chalky to know that she's on my mind. I'm hoping HCG will show that it wasn't a mc. Just take care and treat yourself nice right now. It's such a difficult time.

Our scan has been moved to Friday so that DH can be there. I need a hand to hold just in case it goes badly. Of course, he wants to be there either way. I'll do a proper post when I have some news. I'm hoping that feeling like crap is a good sign.

luckyseven · 09/06/2010 19:23

Right I have 5 post-it notes of scribbling in front of me in an attempt to catch up with over a week of frolicking, but could never live up to whiteroses epic catch up!

chalky so sorry you are going through such a worrying time and I hope everything works out for you on Friday and the HCG levels continue to increase. My best friend bled a lot early on in her pregnancy as she has a heart shaped uterus; she rested loads, had a line off work from the doctors and in the end had a lovely baby boy. The fact that the blood is brown rather than red is encouraging and I really hope everything works out for you. I am sure time has stood still but in the meantime if you can rest and take it easy it should help.

fudgecat I have been having internet problems too and have felt so out of touch as mumsnet is banned in work, however this is probably a good thing as I have one less distraction! Great to hear you are starting to show - as you are in the early 20s maybe you can give me advice on what to wear to a wedding when I will be about the same stage as you, would a more forgiving dress still fit you if you had a wedding this week or would you have to but something new? I realise everyone is different but I keep stressing about what I will wear. Oh and I always notice the stoke prams as looking very sleek.

pipsicles welcome to the grads! it is amazing that after months of obsessing the ?forget about it and it will happen? worked for me too. I was busy in work and had resigned myself to the fact that it was more realistic that it would take a year + and we just got our lucky month. I hope the time between now and your scans goes quickly , I had my first scan last week at 12 weeks and it seemed like an eternity coming around.

bellaby welcome to the grads as well ? how strange that you are enjoying mini cheddars, when I was at your stage a saw a man eating them and just had to have them! Shame they are so fattening but not as fattening as the orange fantas I was putting away on holiday whilst dh had some lovely Sicilian wine. Diet coke from now on!

Yorkshire great to hear from you, we never met but I joined the frolickers just as you had got your bfp and everyone was very fond of you. Nightmare to get a scare at 15 weeks and I am so glad to hear you are ok.

chance hope your pamper session makes you feel like a hot mama to be and that you get the perfect maxi dress. I hope to go maxi dress shopping at the weekend but am not sure if I can carry one off, I def have the height (5?9??) but it really depends on the ever increasing boob situation. If it is of interest Warehouse have 20% off online until tomorrow. www.warehouse.co.uk/feature_03/content/fcp-content

Bunny oh what a nasty man your boss is, how underhand to even say such a thing. It is no reflection on you, just his small mind! Shame about your lo being camera shy in your scan. Last week we saw our baby for the first time really clearly at times on the scan and then the midwife got really excited that she could see three fingers and captured a blob, an arm and three fingers as our 1 scan picture rather than the baby-like blob that was floating around and would have made a better picture! She was lovely though and getting to see the little critter on screen was one of the most emotional moments I have ever experienced.

oneof8 you really are a one woman HR machine and your knowledge is great to have, I read up on our maternity scheme and it is not great but could be worse and called HR to ask them to send me the form so I can submit it when I get a better idea of the due date at the 20 week scan as I really hope they bring it forward from Christmas Eve. Of course she has yet to e mail, how hard can it be to send an attachment ? she could have even done it while I was on the phone grrrr

I see that your lo is known as ?blob? dh isn?t really into giving the baby a nick name but I did call it a ?blob? when showing the scan to my MIL and she told me off! Like I was saying to bunny the picture they took was a blob, an arm and three fingers rather than the better views we had seen before that.

pixiestix I can completely understand why you got offside so quickly when the small child was coming at you head first. I am not yet showing (13 weeks tomorrow) but I am so much more aware of avoiding situations where there is potential calamity! I was at the Snow Patrol homecoming concert on Saturday night and was queuing for the bar with my non pg friend and had to leave the queue because I was getting jostled so much. A really drunk culchie (Northern Irish for country boy) was completely invading my personal space and then announces to everyone round him ?This girl here has got a wild big arse!? mortified!

aly I will be thinking about you on Friday and really hope you have a double celebration that everything is ok and that it is twins too. I think twins would be tough but for me it would be an instant family, just a shame you don?t get twice the maternity.

ozziegirl Yikes about the Sydney job situation, hope all goes well for your dh on Friday and that everything works out for the best. A really friend is coming back from Australia for 5 weeks this weekend and I can?t wait to meet her 4 month old daughter ? from reading your and bunny?s posts I really feel I know more about life on the other side of the world.

spirael hope you settle in well into maternity leave and you take time to laze around and read magazines etc rather than go into a cleaning nesting frenzy. Your bump getting in the way of doors etc has made me realise that in a couple of months time I won?t be able to turn the tv on in our front room as you have to lie over the top of it to reach the plug ? the joys of an ever protruding belly!

whiteroses I sympathise with you on the visitors dilemma, one advantage of people coming to the hospital is that you will get more head peace when you get the little one home. Another option (and I am seriously considering this for dh?s family) is to (if practical) have an open house at your in laws where people can call in to see the baby once you have had time to adjust to being parents.

hermya Congratulations on a boy ? and you were right. I thought about you today when I was in TK Maxx earlier and saw lovely it?s a boy announcement cards reduced to only 30p. As any new mum would spot those in TK Maxx after the birth but a perfect bargain for anyone who found out the sex. My hospital refuse to tell you whilst the one across the city has no problem telling you. Everyone is convinced we will have a boy, I have no inkling but heard my dad tell my uncle the other day that he expects us to have ?a wee ginger boy?! Hilarious, dh is a red head and I am blonde so time will tell.
Good luck with the nappy advisor tonight (not that I actually know what a nappy advisor is or does but I was horrified to learn that the average newborn needs 12 nappy changes a day ? wow!

Talking of my TK Maxx visit today I ended up hiding in the bra section from a journalist. I work in PR and the journo has an idea a negative story is going to surface soon and has been ringing constantly to see what is happening so she can break it and I spotted her coming my direction so crouched down and hid in the bottom row of bras, whilst I was there I thought of all the chat about bras big enough to fit on your head and sure enough I had taken refuge in the 40G section!

Ok this has been quite epic so will sign off, got a letter from the docs to say they should have seen me before now so hope it is not related to my scan last week and just routine and I slipped through the net somehow.

fudgecat · 09/06/2010 20:21

chance my scan is next Monday and the week is dragging, I can?t believe it?s only Wednesday... just googled the seed pod basket and it is lovely very good choice!

chalky sorry to hear you are going through such a scary time try and stay positive as it could be ok*aly glad to hear that DH will be able to go to the scan with you ? I will keep everything crossed for you.

luckyseven I?m not sure where you have me being in my early 20?s from? I wish I was!!! I?m in my early 30?s but feel about 60 at the moment with the tiredness As for the wedding I think the best thing would be to try and wear something you already have as it?s a bit silly to splash out on a new dress that you may only wear the once. At the moment I?m still in my normal size 10 jeans and t-shirts but guess I will have to start thinking about maternity stuff soonish.

luckyseven · 09/06/2010 20:31

oops i meant twenties of your pregnancy making me in my teens but in reality i am getting used to turning thirty!

fudgecat · 09/06/2010 20:36

haha - i can be quite thick sometimes

bunnygirl80 · 10/06/2010 00:03

chalky sorry to hear you're having a worrying time. I hope you get good news on Friday

aly I'll be glued to my computer waiting for your scan news

chance sadly by boss is British so my view of all Aussie blokes as crying wannabe chefs is still intact I actually wanted the temporary contract as I wasn't sure about working there in the beginning, and a permanent dentist contract would have had a 4month notice period, so I'd have been stuck there if I hated it.

The rta wasn't too painful actually, although maybe I should have got a ticket for you while I was there as they'll probably just about be calling your number when you get over here

The seed pod moses basket is the one I have my eye on. Wasn't sure whether to get one or just let LO sleep in the bassinet from the pram, but my mum's offered to buy it for me so it looks like we'll have matching moses baskets.

pixie I did have a bit of an evil giggle to myself watching him walk off with chocolate all over his face! TBH most of the women against paid mat leave are the ones whose family is already complete. Their attitude seems to be that if they had to manage without mat pay then everyone else should too.

I know how you feel being protective of you bump. I women shoved me in the stomach with her massive handbag on the bus the other day, and I wanted to punch her.

lucky I think sonographers have some very strange ideas about what makes a good scan pic. My SIL was given a pic of a foot after her 20 week scan....no other part of the baby was visible, just the foot

Your life sounds so glamourous being stalked by journalists, although hiding in the bra section of TK Maxx is perhaps slightly less glamourous

fudge how are you managing to still fit in your normal jeans?! I had to put those expander things on them from about 6 weeks pg. I actually quite like wearing maternity jeans even though they're still a bit big on me cos the over the bump bit keeps me nice and warm now it's winter

I got a Hug-a-bub sling off ebay that arrived yesterday, so I have been practising tying it and walking around the house with a teddy bear in it! I made DH put it on when he got home from work and he looked quite cute wandering around with a teddy strapped to his chest - he even put it over his shoulder and pretending to burp it

Ozziegirly · 10/06/2010 05:01

chalky I hope everything works out for you, and it isn't bad news.

Well, DH is now through to round 3 of interviews with number 1 job, and has second interview with number 2 job tomorrow, so we are still keeping everything crossed!

My news is that I had my glucose challenge test yesterday which I failed! Blood results should be less than 7.8 apparently and mine came back at 9.3 so I have to go and do the fasting test tomorrow morning.

It's interesting because I don't have any risk factors for diabetes, I'm not overweight, don't smoke, none in my family, and I have only put on 16lbs through my whole pregnancy, which the Obs is perfectly happy with.

I do feel a bit concerned as I don't feel like I have an unhealthy diet so if i do have GD I'm not sure how many changes I can make to my diet. It also really affects things like being induced (way more likely) etc, so I am hoping that maybe I just had a really sugary lunch and that threw the reading off.

I'll let you know tomorrow. If I do have it, not the end of the world as at least I will be forced to be super healthy.

WorrisomeHeart · 10/06/2010 05:37

Hi ladies

Just a really quick post from me on the other side of the world! (bunny and ozzie I waved at you as we flew past!)

Will have a proper catch up when we get back, but just wanted to say chalky I really hope all is ok and the LO is fine.

Hermya Congrats and welcome to the blue club!!

I've had a bit of a scary time over the last couple of days (and apologies in advance if this is TMI!) The night before last I had some bleeding so freaked out of course, however I'd felt kind of a lump on the outside (Ifykwim!) and it was sore so I wasn't sure if it was there that I was bleeding from. So we trundled off to the afterhours clinic and got checked over and turns out I have what looks like a varicose vein that had bled - total gross out!!!!! However, I was relieved that it wasn't somethng more sinister. I got to hear the babies heartbeat and all was fine, but all I can say is how about those joys of pregnancy!!!

Anyway, better get back to the wedding related hysteria - hope you are all well.

Ozziegirly · 10/06/2010 07:10

Hi Worrisome - welcome to the cold half of the world! Enjoy the wedding prep.

Sorry to hear about your bleed - the wonderful joys of pregnancy eh?

Spirael · 10/06/2010 11:07

Morning all! Another cold wet day here in West Yorkshire... The brief flurry of summer seems to have vanished again. Ah well, at least it makes sleeping at night a bit easier. I managed a whole four hour block yesterday in between toilet trips!

Glad things are going well, Yorkshire! The car accident sounds a bit scary, but it sounds like things weren't too bad. Can't be long now until your 20 week scan, huh?

I wouldn't worry too much about the low lying placenta, Hermya. A number of people in the July antenatal had the same thing so needed to have additional scans later on, and I think the placenta had moved up for all of them. Hopefully it'll be the same for you, and it'll be lovely to see your LO again at 34 weeks! I'm at that point now and it seems like so long since I last saw Gadget at the 20 week scan.

Another boy to add to the count, huh? I think we've flipped now from being female heavy to being male heavy! Though I've no doubt it'll flick back at some point and average out evenly.

A parking sensor might help, fudgecat. I was moving between two cars the other day at the supermarket and turned sideways to try and squeeze between the wing mirrors of two parked next to one another. Then belatedly realised that I'm wider that way around than the other way, now. I ended up having to rather ungracefully stoop so I could pass the wing mirrors with them just below my bust.

I keep debating whether or not I'm allowed to park in the 'parent and child' spots with more space to get the door open, but having read some of the topics on MN and seen the rage (and threatening notes/hurled abuse/car damage!) that people without children in tow seem to cause by parking there, I've decided not to risk it until Gadget is actually here.

I've been using the Gaviscon tablets for heartburn, pixie. They seem to work ok to ease it. My pharmacist friend advised not to take Rennie, despite them saying they should be ok for pregnancy. Something about the magnesium? Oh, and if you get put on iron tablets then don't take Gaviscon at the same time of day as the iron tablets. Which is annoying as I find the iron tablets often seem to cause the heartburn!

My work are mostly men as well, Bellaby. I work in a very techy area, doing computer coding. I actually arranged the meal out myself, but the vast majority of them came along and it was a good night out. Must admit though that the presents/card were actually arranged by one of the other females in the team.

Sorry to hear things might not be going well, chalky. Brown bleeding is definitely better than red bleeding though, lots of people have early bleeds and things turn out ok! So don't write everything off just yet. Be sure to get lots of rest and take care of yourself, no matter which way it goes.

Haa...I don't seem to have an automatic defence mode for my bump, pixie and bunny. I keep forgetting about it! I'll pick up the laundry basket or something, wonder why it's not very easy to carry, then suddenly realise it's because Gadget is in the way of holding it to myself. Or I'll sit at the dinner table, try and lean forward to eat and suddenly find I can't! (Then inevitably throw my dinner all down my front. )

I was using a teddy bear to test out the travel system when it first arrived, bunny. DH and I used it to figure out all the straps and how to get the child in and out of pram/carseat/carrycot. Then, of course, I had to try pushing the teddy around the house - just to see how it felt! My DH was giving me the look, however.

Ooh... By all accounts the fasting test isn't a whole lot of fun, Ozzie. Hope it goes ok for you and gives you the all clear result, though! I managed to dodge out of glucose testing, though they were originally contemplating making me go through it because my grandfather is diabetic.

Completely agree with the TMI 'joys' of pregnancy though... In my case, George the Haemorrhoid is getting bigger. I've given him a stern talking to though about it, so hopefully we have an agreement that he can only stay there if he promises to stay small and unpainful!

Bellaby · 10/06/2010 15:31

Afternoon All

Just wanted to pop on here to let you know that unfortunately my visit here (this time) has been short and is now at an end

Had some bleeding for the past 24 hours and a scan today confirmed the bad news. Just waiting for DH to get home so we can go out and buy an expensive bottle of red wine.

Had a little cry this morning but now want to focus on looking forward and the positive news is that we are clearly both fertile! The consultant I saw said that he would see me in a few months if I don't show any signs of normal cycles by then.

Hopefully I will be back on here again soon in next to no time but in the meantime I wish you all the very best with your pregnancies - please do pop in to see us all on the TTC board from time to time - it really is great to hear the news.

Thank you all for your support during my brief stay - you are all wonderful

Lots of love

Bellaby
xx

Spirael · 10/06/2010 15:57

I'm so sorry to hear that, Bellaby. An expensive bottle of wine sounds like a good plan, along with lovely chocolates and/or brie as you prefer! Maybe even some shellfish/pate too.

I went through a similar situation with an early miscarriage before my current pregnancy. I found it threw my hormones into chaos for at least a week or two - so make sure to take as much time off as you need and be kind to yourself, as you could find things all over the place for a bit.

If anyone tries to helpfully tell you that it was 'just' a chemical pregnancy or barely even counted - feel free to punch them! A miscarriage is a miscarriage and it is a traumatic thing to go through.

One thing I can advise is that there seems to be a fertility boost for a few months immediately afterwards. I know several people who've had experience of it! I had one period then caught again with a strong BFP the month after. That BFP is Gadget.

So if you feel up to it, there's no reason not to keep trying. The doctors sometimes prefer you to wait, but that's mostly so that your dates are easier to calculate - which is their problem and not yours!

Alternatively taking a few months off to let things settle down is equally as valid, if that's what you'd prefer.

But for the immediate future... Get lots of rest and relaxation with all your favourite things!

Bellaby · 10/06/2010 16:10

thanks Spirael - your words really mean a lot and it's good to hear about the fertility boost. Fingers crossed I'll be back her before I know it

OneOf8 · 10/06/2010 17:13

Thinking of you Bellaby xx

Just logged on at work - prob not best idea, as sitting here in my office (which is a glass wall onto main open plan part) with tears in my eyes

It is such a difficult time, and yet you are being so strong and positive - I think you are amazing

Do what you need to do now, and as Spirael said feel free to exercise any anger on people who try to be supportive but get it wrong and cause hurt (even if unintentional!)

Big hugs

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