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

[Hermya321]

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

hi all

first of all a huge congratulations to ozzie

I'm back home now after 3 and a half weeks in hospitaL, its so nice to sleep in my own bed. There is not much change in the situation, Splodge has got to 500g but the blood flow is still a big worry. The fibroid was a false alarm as it hasnt been seen on any scans since. Going for another growth scan tomorrow.

Fudge - I am so pleased to hear that you are still hanging in there. You are doing so well - I don't know how you are coping but you obviously are. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for Splodge continuing to have put on weight. Great news to have hit the 500gm mark at last.

I am now 35 weeks - eeeeek. The time since 30 weeks has absolutely flown by. I am working like mad trying to get finished up. I am hoping to stop completely in about two weeks but will see how it goes - I might have to work on a bit longer.

The bump is still measuring 3.5 weeks ahead so I am going for a growth scan tomorrow to see is its all fluid or a huge baby!

Hope everyone else is doing well.
x

Fudge am absolutely thrilled that Splodge has made it to the 500g mark!

If it had been me, I'd have gone crazy by now! You have shown so much strength and keep on going, you both do - totally amazing! x x

Great news about Splodge reaching 500gms fudge and also good news about the fibroid. Keeping everything crossed for tomorrow's scan.

Your baby is very cute flo :)

Hello! I am, according to two pregnancy tests, going to be a mummy and am VERY SCARED that it is all going to go wrong. I have no idea when the bean was conceived because I have had ridiculous cycles, so am going to try to persuade the doctor to give me an early dating scan which is apparently the thing to do?

My CBdigi said 3+ weeks today, so it must have been around for a little bit, but I haven't really had many symptoms - just (TMI) sore nipples, feeling tired and feeling a bit queasy. Not great timing as school has JUST started and I haven't quite got the energy but also can't EXPLAIN WHY to anyone. But DH is being wonderful and making me put my feet up when I get home and even made my dinner last night.

I don't know if any of you remember me, but any reassuring words would be greatly appreciated - and anything that I should be saying to the Dr on Monday to help progress some kind of dating and therefore EDD...

How long did everyone wait to tell their mummies? I would like to wait until 12 weeks, but we have noticed on their calendar that they are thinking about going on holiday right around my very estimated baby-appearance-dates and I would like my mummy to be here if she can.

ARGH! But am sooooooooo excited that we seem to be getting our baby when I was going through the tests for why my cycles were so stupid!

fudge Good to hear from you. I think of you every day and am glad to hear you are home and still fighting.

november thinking of you today too! Can't wait for your news. Will your prediction be right?!

womanly, flick, lanky thank you for your kind words. I know I've said it before but I am keening awaiting your BFP's - miss you all.

bunny Thanks for the list update.

kurly WELCOME!!!! Hopefully your GP will get you a scan to date you sooner rather than later as I don't think there is much else you can say to help them date it (unless you only had sex once in the last couple of months!) They might have a feel of you - see how large your uterus is but might prefer to get you scanned. Let us know how you get on Monday.

It's really hard not to worry but try not to as it won't change anything (says me, the biggest worrier ever ) 5 plus weeks on the CB is a good sign though. Sore nipples, fatigue and light nausea was exactly how I felt up to about a few days ago. The nausea got worse but gradually rather than suddenly. I'm glad your DH is looking after you. Mine has made my tea every day since my BFP.

Telling your mum is entirely up to you. I feel that I was deceiving mine from about week 8 but liked to celebrate with her rather than worry together but it's totally up to you.

Congrats again, it's an exciting time! Spring 2011 is going to be a great time to have a baby!

Not that other times aren't just as good. I'm a firm believer in a baby being amazing whenever the timing. Sorry I think i'm still a bit giddy!

flo just looked at your scan pic - GORGEOUS!!

Great to see so many undergrads over with us!

Congratulations Kurly! I told my mum at about eight weeks, but I am a really terrible liar so it was pretty obvious to her! Sore nipples and queasiness sound like very good signs!

Halo - your scan pic is lovely and so clear.

November - well, were you right in your prediction??? [taps fingers]

Fudge - I'm really glad you are out of hospital. Fantastic news that Splodge has hit 500g - that means that s/he is now viable, doesn't it? Good luck with the scan tomorrow, hope the weight gain is continuing.

Addie - hope your giant baby is not too giant! Mine was six pounds at 35-ish weeks and apparantly that is about average, so it will be interesting to compare!

Hello all!! I've finally done my hospital bag shopping, I spend yesterday with my Mum walking around boots starring at the maternity pads with detached bewilderment. It all feels so odd to be buying that kind of thing, it makes it all seem so real. I also have the most important thing to bring with me to the hospital. Yep thats right, I have some fab post baby mascara and foundation and uber concealer for under my eyes. So I may feel like death warmed up, but I hopefully won't look too worn out.

I also went to see some of the in laws last weekend, it was lovely to see everyone. I also discovered that bouncing on a trampoline is a fantastic way to get LO to shift his feet from my ribs. Well it was so much bouncing as bobbing up and down holding my tummy and then sitting on the edge (it was the only place I could get comfy) whilst everyone else had lots of fun. I also talked to my cousin who is currently twenty weeks along, I thought my hormones were bad. But she's been getting into slanging matches in Supermarket car parks in the past few weeks. I felt quite proud that I hadn't lowered myself to such things. But yesterday I got into an argument with someone in a carpark because my car door had touched hers. My word, I felt so guilty afterwards but she caught me on a whole 'end of tether' moment. I didn't cause any damage to her car and she was a bit posh in her reactions. I suspect I'll be the story that she tells when she explains to people over her champers and cavier why she won't be going back to that particular supermarket.

Fudge That is brilliant news about Splodge, I'm so proud of that little one. S/he is such a little fighter, I expect that baby will shock them all. Good luck with your scan tomorrow.

Addie Hope your giant baby isn't too big.

Kurly Yay!!! Congratulations!!! I bet you're over the moon. I told my Mum and MIL when I was around your stage, I would have waited longer but I had to tell my boss at work. My MIL and Mum then went and told the entire country. At the end of the day it's up to you.

Halo Congrats on the scan!!

Oh Ozzie I'm sorry you're finding things hard, but I'm sure you are doing a fantastic job with little Tom. I've read that after you have a baby you can have a stage of the blues. I mean you have just become a Mum, thats a shock for anyone to go through. Be easy on yourself and do whatever you need to do to get through these next few weeks and don't beat yourself up about it.

Oneof8 It's brilliant when you start to feel proper thuds isn't it. Just wait until LO starts to hiccup, it is beyond cute.

MrsW Sorry about the morning sickness, I hope it's not been too bad for you.

Lucky Good for you on the Yoga front, just think you'll be able to zen your way through birth.

Hello to anyone else I missed.

Haloflo I've just seen your profile page and was having a nosy at your piccy and noticed that you live in the same sort of area as me.

fudge That's fantastic news that splodge has reached 500gs. Hope you get more good news at the next scan

ozzie sorry to hear your hospital weren't much help with BFing. It sounds like you're doing really well with the expressing - I think many people in your situation would have just switched to formula by now, so you should be so proud of yourself for keeping going.

If my DH was going away for a whole weekend so soon after our LO arrives I think I'd be having full on panic attacks!! You will be fine, and knowing what the rental market in Sydney's like at the moment I think being in sole charge of a newborn is probably the easier task of the two

addie good luck with your growth scan...hope your baby's not too much of a giant

kurly congrats on the BFP. I told my MIL at about 6 weeks and my mum a couple of weeks later. MIL then blabbed to everyone she'd ever met, then when I complained about it to my mum she confessed that she'd told "a couple of people" too So my advice would be that if you want it kept quiet be very careful who you tell - even the most trustworthy looking people can get over excited

hermya I keep going into the maternity pad/nipple cream section at the pharmacy and then running away in horror without buying anything

After we've had several weekends of lovely weather I went and booked a weekend for DH and me in the Blue Mountains and now it's set to rain all weekend Luckily there's a spa at the hotel so it looks like we'll be spending the weekend in there rather than enjoying the spectacular scenery. Just have to hope they have treatments suitable for pg women

Hello all! Just been reading through. Congratulations Ozzie! Sorry, on iPhone so no bold. Wow! I second the admiration on expressing. My friend's children all had cleft palates and couldnt suckle and she had to give up expressing almost I'mmediately, so really well done for keeping going. Though remember it's ok to stop too. Beware of bf Nazis. Tom will be fine either way. Glad the blues seem to be clearing. They do seem to reckon you can be as bonkers as you like for the first few weeks before you need to start worrying about it.

Fudge. Good to think of you in your own bed, and to imagine little splodge still fighting away.

Hermya - thank you so much for your spd tips, especially when you'd just been through such a difficult time yourself. Must feel pretty real now you've packed your bag!

Congratulations kurly! I remember you from the ttc thread. We waited till after 12 week scan to tell family, but it did lead to my stepmother sending me worried texts asking me if I was ok. By the time we told them I think they were just relieved I wasn't dying! Told my boss at 6 weeks because we share an office and all was clearly not well! Plus my job is meant to involve a lot of extra evening work, which I couldn't do.

Had my anomaly scan last fri and all was well. The vertical cross section is quite freaky! Going down from top of the skull through the spine. Probably a girl! But am trying to remember that that way round it could still be a surprise boy.

This is my stop. Working all weekend, till next thurs and already knackered. Not sure 9 day stints suit the pregnant body. But just set a date to go on ml at 35 weeks. Bring it on!

Morning all!

Kurly - they ask your LMP at the GP, and base the 12 week dating scan on that. Believe I remember reading your last one started then lasted 7 weeks odd in June? By this you would be considered 9 weeks already based on the LMP being 1st June, and therefore needing a scan in the next 3 weeks... Up to you if you go with this option as far as I can tell is pretty much correct give or take a "few" days

Only hypothetical situation to consider would be the local NHS (to you) may not re-do the dating scan if baby measures over 8 weeks at the 1st scan - even if it was an emergency/bleed related scan as apparently they can measure relatively accurate after 8 weeks ? This would also have the effect it would be a longer wait until the 20 week - however for peace of mind and provisional planning purposes being told everything is ok is priceless

I told my mum one week after finding out. Only reason I waited that long was because of the hours she works. For me if anything did go wrong (as had wanky cycles etc) I wanted her support ? but made damn sure it wasn?t public knowledge until after 12 weeks as didn?t want the world and its wife to know my business until I was ready. It?s a very personal thing ? so do what makes you feel most comfortable

Re symptoms ? I had none! Absolute zero! So again, nothing to worry about. I was asking for prescription only painkillers when I found out? as I had run out of them after taking the last of the ones I had at home?

It is so hard not to worry ? especially if you are a natural worrier like me! My newest one (and no, you can not share this absurd fear, your supposed to be relaxing!) is the lack of boob pain or sensitive nipples means I won?t be able to breast feed. There is no scientific basis for this ? just me looking for things to worry about.

Halo just quickly ? the wording on my post re scan pictures didn?t make sense ? but only just realised! Should read the YOURS is a far better image just 24 hours on as mine was a bit fuzzy + in a few images looked like a coffee bean!

November ? hope all is well!

Ozzie you have just had a baby? change in feelings/mood is normal! You sound like you are doing fantastic!

Hermya congrats on the packing! Other than deciding I need a new bag to use as the hospital bag, and a small bag to keep in the car (which is always with me) in case of emergency, I have not given it a second thought since that decision! To me hospital bag = impending unknown territory! Will need to get over this fear of having a new born baby to care for pretty sharpish?

Bunny enjoy your break! There are health spas (here) that actually advertise what is safe and what is not ? would you like me to look for it for you?

Right, I?m off to write a letter of complaint to Mamas&Papas ? on the website if you lookup a store they claim to have knowledgeable staff working there. Knowledgeable staff my arse! Kids earning their beer money would have been a better description! ? Is it too much to ask for the person demonstrating a travel system to have a clue how it works and not to damage your OH car when testing a car seat??

Well I'm still here, had a few Braxton Hicks last night but apart from that nothing! Today I will be going for a long walk!

Really glad to hear your news Fudge, go Splodge! You must be so glad to be back at home now.

Congratulations Kurly! I think they will probably get you in for an early scan as your cycles have been all over the place.

Sorry to hear you've not had good support for breast feeding Ozzie Are there any other support lines you can contact apart from the hospital, like the La Leche League or NCT we have in the UK? Sounds like you are doing a fab job so don't be hard on yourself.

Congrats on the scan seablue, the detail you can see is amazing isn't it?

35 weeks already Addie - not long now, bet you can't wait to go on mat leave

Hospital bag shopping does make it seem so real Hermya, I keep adding things to mine and it's going to look like I'm there for a two week stay

I just posted a little hello but it has disappeared! I'll try again... :)

Hi frolickers!

I thought I would pop in to the Grads thread and say hi. I just got 3 a BFP yesterday and am over the moon. I am only 3+5 I think weeks and a bit nervous, but I went to the GP this morning. He telepathically confirmed it (they don't do a test?! shocking!) and an EDD of 14 May 2011.

I have no symptoms yet so pretty hard to believe; I always thought being pregnant would feel different. I am sure there's time yet for that!

Hope you are all enjoying pregnancy and having a happy and healthy time. I am off to read up on you all now and see where everyone is in the 9 months.

xx

Hi,
I wasn't on the first time frolickers thread for long (though had been TTC for 16 months), but there are some names here I recognise. I am 6 weeks. I had this telepathically confirmed by GP on Tuesday who gave me EDD of 3 May. I'm working a nightshift tonight, and wondering how I'm going to manage 2-4 nightshifts every other week through the exhaustion and nausea for the next 6 months or so.

Hello again!

Thank you all for your responses to my inane questioning. OneOf8, thank you for the hypothetical situation on the lack of 12-week scan if I have one that reads post-8-weeks. I'll ask the doctor if he knows anything if he does offer the "early" dating scan...

I'm going to tell my parents on Sunday, but not the in-laws. I'd want my Mum to know if anything went wrong, so she may as well know straight away. I've also told one person at work and he's ACE at keeping secrets, so I'm hoping that the bean will stay underwraps until after half term...

Anyway, I'm very glad that it's Friday and very excited to see on the list that November is going to be a mummy any day now! I've been gradually reading through the past month or so and amazed to read about your labour and little Thomas, ozzie.

I'd like to ask one more question, if that's ok? Well, I guess that's two questions... Does anyone have any good pregnancy books that they would recommend? I've been reading Amazon reviews but thought that I'd ask you lovely girls as you might have some top tips of your own!

Oh, and just to finish. We've been working our way through Friends over the past few months and got to the one where Rachel watches a birthing video. DH was extra-specially nice to me afterwards! It's quite funny watching it all now that I might actually get to experience it...

Hey Steg! Congrats again! - did post on the other thread, but in case you missed it in all your excitement!!

What sort of work do you do? Just wondering as I can only think of a few which involve nights...

My tips eat. If you get "caught short", mint chewing gum buys me 30 minutes - although actual mints only give me 15/20 minutes for some reason to find some food - mini cheddars or a sandwich (any filling that?s to hand) being best for me. Down side of this escape clause is after the gum, if I fail to eat I am awful... so really need to eat!

Many other recommend seabands or ginger flavoured foods. Think it is yet another thing that is personal!

As you can see, I am highly busy at work today!!

Kurly, I have 2 books - Pregnancy bible, for lack of scary pictures when I was newly preg (yes, I am one of those that tries to believe that leaving the reality of a situation to nearer the time before worrying commences makes life easier! - otherwise I'd go mad!)

I was also given The Rough Guide to Pregnancy - this is quite entertaining whilst being informative. It constantly reminds you there is no "F" in text book pregnancy*, and therefore relax, whilst giving you the things to look out for without scaring you.

• read this out loud - there is no "F" in... there is no effing - geddit?!?

OH is reading the Preg Bible, as has weekly expectations on there for babies growth ect. where as the Rough Guide is cartoon pictures.

See what the others say, and then go to WH Smiths and browse for an hour or so flicking through the most popular to find the one/'s that suits you.

I did travel out of area to the book shop to avoid seeing anyone I knew and avoid the difficult questions - that's if you are that paranoid (like me!!)

hey just posting from my phone as in the airport waiting for my flight to bristol for my last weekend away. The search woman held the whole queue up whilst she asked me about my bump! First day wearing non floaty clothes so look proper pg in my new mamalicious jeans and tight t shirt! Congrats and welcome to all the new grads, hope the next few weeks go quickly and are trouble free. A friend bought me what to expect when you are expecting and it is great for answering all the wee questions when everything is so new and no one knows your secret! I can t read the pg bible as the smug pictures annoy me. I work in pr / marketing so i prob give them too much notice! We held off to eight weeks before telling parents and sisters. Oz well done on your dedication to expressing for the wee man hope the weekend goes to plan and dh finds a fab sydney pad! Hermya so sorry i missed you in my last post. You are so super organised esp remembering essentials for looking good in the post baby pics! Halo your scan is great. Love that you are giddy with joy! Visiting my friend from round your way this weekend! Nice one gettin dh to make all the dinners. Sorry i am posting from memory will be a better frolicker when we ever get our feckin broadband installed! Fudge glad to hear you are home and hope the weight gain continues. Flight is boarding better go!

good luck november. Now on plane!

Bunny I know, it's a bizare and wierd thing to be buying isn't it?

Steg Congratulations!!! What sort of work do you do? Can your work place you on restrictions or are you not telling them yet? When I did nights, I carried round a bottle of Shared earth lemongrass and ginger cordial in my water bottle and sipped that. I also made sure I had stem ginger cookies on my person as well or at least within easy reach.

Lucky The thing is I never feel organised, but I married a bloke who lives in the here and now and I think if I wasn't a bit of a list maker he would exist purely on baked beans and cereal.

Kurly I've got 'what to expect' and the 'Mumsnet Guide to Pregnancy'. I actually liked the Mumsnet guide, I felt it gave me a more humourous yet realistic approach to pregnancy. I also signed up for weekly emails from Mothercare which are actually quite nice. I know 'Whattoexpect.com' do them as well. I also followed a couple of girls on youtube.com who made weekly video blogs which I found quite helpful.

Seablue No worries, yeah it feels a bit more scary now but in a good way. I think I'm done with the whole pregnancy thing. How are you getting on at the moment?

Crazy Congratulations!! I bet you're over the moon!!!

Fudge Hope the scan went well today.

Other than that, I've been out and about today and explored a historical house near me. It was nice, but I don't think it was worth the money me and my friend paid. I think I'll stick to Chatsworth in future.

We're getting to the end of this thread, would anyone object to me making another?

Any suggestions to thread titles?

hermya Ooh where are you based? Do you mean Lancashire or the North West. I am all for a new thread but am rubbish at names! Maybe something about all the arrivals due in Sept and all the BFP's in recent weeks?

Speaking of which cherry got her BFP yesterday!!!!

bunny Enjoy your time at the spa, it sounds heavenly!

seablue Congrats on your 20 week scan. When you say probably a girl - did you look but not ask? Or is that what the sonographer said? How exciting! Hope the SPD or work isn't getting you down. (15 weeks to go until ML?!)

Thanks for asking the book question kurly, I was starting to think about getting one to pour over. I think I will take your advice oneof8 and actually look at them in the shops. Even if I think go back and order online at least I'll have been able to have a flick through and a feel or which I like.

lucky Good to hear from you, enjoy your weekend. Your bump sounds gorgeous. Then when you are home get the internet sorted! Only joking - it will be good to have you back though.

I'm now 11+6 and cannot wait to get to 12 weeks! It feels like such a milestone. I'm starting to get maternity trousers just to take the pressure off my stomach. Not sure if it's a bit early but I never did have good stomach muscles!

I have to say though the shops in my city and nearby Preston are rubbish for maternity wear. New Look's proved the best and I have some sexy sweat pants & bootcut jeans from there so far. I might spend some time online today getting a wish list together. I don't want to spend too much but don't want to look awful for the next 6 months either.