Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Birth clubs

Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

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?
Hermya321 · 11/05/2010 23:06

Haloflo I had this as well, I think that symptons come and go in waves. There were days when I felt on top of the world and other days when I felt sick as a dog. I wouldn't worry too much, saying that though if you are seriously worried you can go to your GP and see if they'll refer you to an EPU. Everybody and every pregnancy is different, apart from the commonality that you worry your socks off the whole way through.

OP posts:
bunnygirl80 · 11/05/2010 23:19

halo I didn't bother with an early scan, although I got the urge a few times. I heard lots of stories about people having them a few days too early to see a heartbeat and ending up worried rather than reassured. I suppose as long as you leave it until you're certain you're 7-8weeks then it will be fine.

Don't worry about the lack of symptoms - they'll come and go and when you're constantly hugging the toilet in a couple of weeks you'll be longing for the days of no symptoms

chance to be honest with the speed that FIL drives at and his rubbish navigational skills it could take them weeks to make it down from Queensland They are actually pretty easy going about things but I'm not going to broach the subject of when they'll be allowed to visit until MILs health is sorted - I think in her present state of mind I'd be mad to risk upsetting her.

Oh, and something for you to look forwards to.....you may have election fatigue from the UK but don't forget it's the Oz election this year too so you'll get another chance to go through all the excitement

lucky I was also wondering about the furniture at number 10 as they do move in very quickly. Although I had assumed someone would change the sheets. I wonder if Gordon got his kids to trash the place before they left

I bought my first piece of baby equipment yesterday. Some friends are getting rid of some of their DDs baby stuff so they gave us first look. So I'm now the proud owner of a multispeed baby swing with light show and MP3 player attachment They also had a bassinet but it bore a striking resemblance to Hermya's crib so I had to politely decline

Hermya321 · 11/05/2010 23:23

Quick question, how did you all find your bra fittings. Did you go to M and S or somewhere else?

I've been reading elsewhere that M and S is the devils work and should be avoided, what do you guys think?

OP posts:
Ozziegirly · 12/05/2010 00:15

Sorry, I haven't been on for ages! Lovely to catch up with everyone's news, and pleased all is going well.

homebound I have also had loads of discharge - mainly just clear but it was unexpected!

chance you mentioned about moses baskets - I have also been amazed at how expensive they are here. Have you looked into hiring? I went to a baby show recently and they had a hire company there which does all sorts of stuff so I'm going to go and have a look at their things in a few weeks to see the quality.

I had thought I might hire the basket and also the baby capsule for the car, as again, you only use it for 6 months. The Red Cross do a deal where it's about $85 for 6 months and then they take that money off the cost of the follow on car seat if you buy it through them.

As for clothes and things, I've bought a few from M&S as they seem such good value.

Not much else from me - loads of movements now at 25 weeks, even with the anterior placenta. I feel like I look huge, but, like Spirael I think Pip has smuggled a book in there as he has been making me put on a nice 1lb per week, and luckily so far it seems to be mainly going onto the bump, and not my arse or face.

I have been reading a book called "Birth Skills" by Juju Sundjin (sp?) which is rather good - I think it's Australian but it's full of various techniques about distracting yourself from the pain and coping and managing it, but without an underlying preachyness that so many of the books have.

She readily says that pain relief is fine but that in preparing, you will know how far you can go without it, and if you do have to have any interventions, you should still feel in control, and most of all, happy with your decision and not guilty about it.

It's making me feel miles calmer about giving birth actually.

Spirael · 12/05/2010 09:28

Morning all! It's gorgeous weather here today, blue skies and sunshine! Though a touch on the chilly side when I left the house, hopefully it'll warm up a bit. It's just a shame I'm stuck in work all day, really. I could be doing my laundry!!

Anyway...

Yep, I'm pretty much all set now, fudgecat. I've got all the necessary bits for feeding, clothing, washing and changing. The nursery is about 95% finished, it's just a few cosmetic bits and pieces that need doing. My bag is packed with all the essentials, I'm going to be adding the optional extras over the coming weeks. Just need to wait now for another seven weeks, then my birthing pool will be delivered and I'll be set to go!

I was cold in the early months, luckyseven, but that might have been because it was the middle of winter at the time. Now I'm toasty warm most of the time, warmer than the people around me it seems. I reckon it's to do with blood volumes increasing and more energy being burnt even at rest.

If you'll pay for my flights over there, I'm happy to come and tidy your house a bit in return for a holiday, bunnygirl. However... I get the feeling airlines might not be impressed at letting me fly at present.

I had a private scan at nine weeks, haloflo. Cost me a touch more than what you're quoting, but was very much worth it! I'd previously had an early miscarriage at around 6 weeks, so was paranoid that everything was going to end prematurely again. It was also right before Christmas and I wanted to know everything was fine before letting the wider family know during the festive season that there was going to be a new family member next year.

I found it a big relief to have the scan and see that little heartbeat, as once the heartbeat is confirmed apparently the chance of miscarriage drops dramatically. Also, the sonographer at the private scan was fantastic and explained everything on the screen in detail. He also went and checked my kidneys and ovaries for me, as well as having a go on the 4D - though Gadget was too small to show up. We got lots of cute little pics too.

This really stood out to me because my 12 week (at 13 weeks) NHS scan after Christmas was pretty awful. The quality of the scan was much lower and all they gave me was the briefest view of a fuzzy blob before immediately turning the screen away. I saw nothing else for the entire appointment! The picture we were given was pretty rubbish to be honest, especially compared to the ones a few weeks earlier.

The 20 week NHS scan was better, better equipment and a nice sonographer, but I still found my 9 week scan the most enjoyable. I'd have been even more disappointed with my first NHS scan if I hadn't already seen Gadget dancing around a few weeks earlier.

Also, my symptoms didn't really kick in until 6-7 weeks, haloflo, so don't worry too much just yet. All I had until then was that my breasts were a tiny bit sore, but only if I pressed on them, and that came and went sporadically. From around 7-13 weeks however I was pretty much constantly nauseated, though fortunately didn't throw up too much.

I went to Bravissimo to be fitted for some maternity bras, Hermya. They were great, measuring by eye! I got them to give me one really comfy bra, then snuck online and bought two more in the same size much cheaper than getting them in store. I'm heading back next week as I need a different bra to go under a dress I'm wearing to a (local) wedding in two weeks, and all of my current ones are visible.

I figure I'll also see what size I've expanded to (I'd jumped from 34D to 34F at 12 weeks...and I'm certainly bigger now!) and pick up a couple of cheap nursing bras somewhere else to do me until my milk properly comes in and I get even bigger... I really hope they reduce again after all this - I feel all unbalanaced at the moment! ... Though DH is happy, as I'm sure can be imagined.

I'm glad things are going well with LO, Ozziegirly. It's nice that the LOs seem to be walking the path expected by the health professionals, it makes things at lot easier at appointments and for planning purposes. I just hope it all continues!

No problems here still, though the crippling tiredness of the first trimester seems to be starting to affect me again. I think currently it's because I'm struggling to sleep through the night however. I have to get up at least once to use the bathroom, my dreams are getting increasingly vivid and I think I'm getting problems with having restless legs - I can't seem to get them comfortable when still!

Gadget also decided to start disco dancing in the early hours of this morning, for reasons unknown. I had to threaten not to eat any more cake for a week before it stopped!

Spirael · 12/05/2010 16:36

You know that whole blue skies and sunshine thing..? Nevermind, it's now grey and drizzly. Ah well!

luckyseven · 12/05/2010 18:14

bunnygirl that is some piece of equipment you went for - sounds a bit like a fun dj booth for a baby with tunes, a light show and a swing! One of my best friends now lives in Australia and her parents went over for the first 6 weeks when their lo was born - i feared it would be a disaster but they stayed somewhere else the first 4 weeks and went round to their house to visit and cook them dinner and then left as they didn't want to miss out or intrude. I hope you find a solution that keeps you sane.

hermya321 i went to house of fraser last summer and got measured and they were excellent and together the lady and i faced up to the fact that i was a 36f - i reckon i will have 2 heads for boobs by the end of this pregnancy - dread! M and S don't touch you when they measure now so not very scientific, probably some crazy health and safety thing when a member of m and s staf got knocked out by a clients boob ....

haloflo i rang up this morning to find out about a scan - they do them at 8 or 9 weeks and not before and i am 9 weeks on Thurs but it costs £170 which i find hard to justify the week before we go on holiday. I guess I will have to learn patience, I would go ahead if i had had the same experience as spirael. spirael what are you wearing to the wedding? I have one at the end of August and have no idea what I will do.

Right I am off to tell dh to stop whimpering and go to the of licence as i won't let him drink the bottle of wine from the Sunday Times Wine Club that my friend sent me for my 30th!

Oh and since we are talking about bras when do are you supposed to stop wearing underwired as quite frankly i need the scaffolding!

Hermya321 · 12/05/2010 18:59

Well the bra saga has been abated for now, I spoke to a woman over the phone at Bravisimo whom I swore was a boob mind reader. I told her what the problem was and she told me to try a smaller back size and bigger cup, she seriously had me to within a cup size. How cool is that!!

Bunny Why are all the fun stuff for babies? I want a chair with speakers in it!!

Luckyseven Who did you ring?? I've seen Nuchals and bloods cost less than that and that was on Harley Street at the Fetal Medical Centre. Normally a viability scan costs about £60 to £80 from what I've seen. You can also wear underwires whilst you're pregnant, but you have to make sure they fit well. I for one refuse to have floppy boobs for the next five months. Check out the Bravisimo website I'm a convert to the alter of comfy boobs.

Spireal Thanks for the tip!!!

OP posts:
luckyseven · 12/05/2010 19:21

hermya it was a place called 352 healthcare in Belfast and going to a consultant would be £250. I have put the notion out of my head. will have alook at bravissimo, although i love figleaves for shape and fit too.

luckyseven · 12/05/2010 19:22

oops i meant fantasie which i buy from figleaves.

chancewouldbeafinething · 12/05/2010 21:25

lucky do you know i had the same thought...do they swap the beds while the PM leaves to see the Queen?

bunny great that is something to look forward to...and then next year i think it is the state election (my friends dad is running for pre-selection now.) But at least you are missing the constant coverage...last night they didnt show Eastenders..on the train today i heard people complaining that they were showing (live) GB quitting and DC walking in to downing street instead of eastenders I had to try very hard to keep a straight face.

Ozzie thanks for the tips - its mental isnt it? we are lucky that my sister kept everything for us, so the basket is really all we need to buy. So i kind of dont feel so bad buying it, but i dont want to be ripped off. Seriously thinking about shipping one over with our stuff, but i think it would just get stuck in quarantine.
Good to hear you are feeling lots of movements

You know i only said to DH i think i need to get some more bras..and fitted properly this time...I will be off to bravisimo this weekend

bunnygirl80 · 12/05/2010 23:28

Hermya I think Layzee Boy make chairs with speakers in for grown ups There's an advert on TV here at the moment that keeps making me think of you. It's for a pharmacy, and it basically features people asking random other people for advice on stuff you should be going to this shop for. One of the people stops a policeman to ask for make up tips but the policeman doesn't know what to say so runs away. It always makes me think that if they'd stopped hermya she's have given them some decent make up tips!!

luckyseven I think the ILs visit will be ok - they are pretty good at helping out around the house. I was just looking forwards to it being just me and DH while he's on paternity leave.

ozzie glad to hear you're having a textbook pg

spirael you sound so organised being all packed for the hospital already

I've been thinking about getting some bigger bras too -I'm starting to get the four boobed effect where the cups are too small again. I went and had a look the other day and found some really pretty maternity bras, then picked out my size and realised that I would have a good chance of fitting my entire head in one of the cups and ran away My boobs do seem to have developed the ability to levitate as even without underwires they seem really uplifted!

haloflo · 13/05/2010 19:28

Hi all.

Thank you so much for your reassurance. I've been quite crampy today so have continued to feel very anxious. I've not been sleeping well so this hasn't helped. I should be really happy but I just can't relax. I'll try and keep up with the thread but really don't like posting negative thoughts so might stay a little quiet.

hermya Lol that the only thing in common with every pregnancy is the worry. That is just so true! Just means it's hard for the first timer who isn't quite sure what's "normal" and what's a problem.

spirael That description of your early scan was amazing and would be everything I could dream of. Thank you so much for taking the time to type all that out. It sounds like it was an amazing experience. I was going to ask about my breasts too. I'm currently a swollen 36C, sounds like I won't be in a few weeks!

lucky £170! That's a lot of money. I'm sure your holiday will fly by & that will bring you closer to your scan date so maybe try and hold on. I'm with you on the patience thing. It's a virtue I clearly don't have.

I hope everyone is ok & feeling well.

chancewouldbeafinething · 13/05/2010 20:47

Hi All

Well the boobs got the better of me today, and i realised there is a bravissimo just near my work. I walked in wearing a non wired B cup and walked out in a DD! the woman was trying to get me to buy an E, but like bunny the look of it made me want to run. the only reason i took the DD was it was such a relief to not be squashed. oh and because it is actually the right size i can wear wires again Just hope they dont grow again very soon or i will be wishing i got the E.
For a person who has always been a B or C, DD just sounds too funny. DH was impressed.

I cant wait to lie in on saturday morning, this week is dragging...just one more day to go...

Hope everyone is well xx

chancewouldbeafinething · 13/05/2010 21:42

btw anyone watched any of these vids?
www.babycentre.co.uk/video/

check out the stages of birthing...hmmm

Hermya321 · 14/05/2010 00:14

I know this is ssssssssssssoooooooooooo stupid, but I'm still having a major hormonal tear filled strop fest over those stupid maternity trousers (work issued).

They're straight legged, I hate straight legged trousers they're the devils work as far as I'm concerned.

They're so ugly and horrible, it makes me want to cry and now I am. The first ones they gave me were lovely but too small.

It's bad enough I have to walk around with a big norks and a big tummy but to make me do it in ugly trousers. I'm not wearing them , I'm taking them back and asking for them in the other style. But that means I have to have that conversation and tell them that I really really hate them with a passion resembling a Cats hatred of all things watery. The only straight legged trousers I will EVER wear are those that have lots of pockets on the side of them where I can keep my stash of pens!!

I also got a splinter.

My word!!!

I'm seriously in hormone central today.

Bunny I don't know if you would believe me but I have had some really really odd conversations with people and that advert wouldn't be far off one or two of them (people can be very strange).

Haloflo I know what you mean, but it's nice on this thread as we have people at all stages and you can ask questions on what is and what is not normal.

Chance They put in an E cup, an E cup!!! I used to have normal C shaped boobs. The only thing making me feel better is that I went down a back size, so technically a DD in my normal size.

OP posts:
Spirael · 14/05/2010 09:10

I knew the wedding was going to be happening back in winter, so managed to pick up a 'last season' summery dress from Jojo Maman Bebe on eBay for less than half the cost, luckyseven. It's a floaty empire line dress that extends down to the floor, so is forgiving of my shape and hides stuff like my swollen ankles. Lots of gathered material over the bust too, so plenty of room!

I normally like to try things on before buying, as I seem to be a weird shape by current standards (very hourglass). I took a chance on this one though due to the style and it paid off, as it fits just fine. It also doesn't look too much like a maternity dress, so I'm hoping I might get away with wearing it for Gadget's Christening too after the birth, if I haven't recovered enough of my figure for my regular smart clothing by then.

Heh... I hit 34F at twelve weeks and I'm definitely bigger than that now. I'm going to end up a Z or something at this rate!! So I wouldn't panic about the E just yet, Hermya. There's still plenty of time for expansion...

My scan I think was around £90, haloflo, if that's any help. That included some pictures, because I wanted something to keep even if it did all end badly again.

Try not to worry too much about random cramps - they're pretty normal! I had lots at the beginning of this pregnancy, I'm pretty sure it was just everything stretching and rearranging itself inside me. As long as there's no heavy bleeding with clots, then to be honest I'd just assume everything is fine. Besides, when I had my MC, I didn't have any cramps at all!

Keep thinking positively. For this pregnancy, I kept telling myself that no matter what symptoms I was feeling/not feeling, there was definitely a LO inside me. And until/unless there was heavy bleeding then they were definitely still there, as there was no-where else for them to have gone!

I've been making sure to stay blissfully ignorant about some areas of the birth, chance. I avoided One Born Every Minute and have just stuck to just reading books and seeing some still pics about what happens. So in theory I know what's going to happen, but at the same time I haven't been panicked by watching an actual birth in progress!

To be honest, I figure that Gadget is going to have to get out of me somehow and it's going to happen sooner or later despite my thoughts on the matter! If I drift into labour believing everything will be easy as pie, that my body will know what to do and handle it appropriately, then my theory is that I'll be more relaxed and less likely to have any issues by being tensed up.

If things do happen to go wrong... Well, that's what the midwives are there to spot, and by the time things have gone a bit pear shaped it'll be way too late for me to have time to worry about it - I'll just have to get on with the situation as appropriate!

Hee... I might be packed for the hospital, bunnygirl, but I'm actually hoping not to darken the door of LGI again! Still got my eyes on a homebirth!

There's not too much happening in my world at the moment. Just crossed over the 30 week mark, so into the last quarter of pregnancy now! Maybe less, if I end up giving birth a bit premature. However I still reckon I'm destined for July 25th - DH, BF and MW's birthdays!

I've been struggling to sleep well for the last few days, mostly due to active/disturbed dreams. I think it's partially caused by pregnancy hormone stuff, but also by the fact that my poor DH is busy studying for three exams he's sitting the week after next. So with him revising all the time and me trying to keep the house running and get everything prepared for Gadget, there's just no time to relax and my brain is constantly buzzing!

Oh well... If I can just get through the next fortnight ok, then DH will have finished his exams and everything should calm down a bit. Then two weeks after that I can stop work and spend my entire day mooching around the house and getting bored out of my brain I expect!

Ozziegirly · 14/05/2010 11:13

My boobs seem giant too - even DH said, kind of awestruck "look at your boobs" the other day.

I think it makes my bump look smaller as the boobs are like these balloons stuck onto the front of me.

I have only gone up one size (to an E though!) but they just seem really full and kind of there.

Hermya I do sympathise about the trousers. It's horrid if you feel like you don't look nice - I"m sure you look lovely though.

Oh and one last thing on boobs. Last time I bought a new bra, I had a selection in the changing room, and I did try one on my head, and basically it fitted like a small hat.

haloflo · 14/05/2010 11:42

Morning girls. I'm sorry to report things haven't worked out for my BFP so I'm back here. Feeling like crap at the moment, been very upset this morning but I know I will be ok.

Not gone to work as couldn't face it so going to take some nurofen & have a hot bath for my cramps. Wine is going in the fridge for DP and I to share tonight.

Not sure what I'll do this cycle but will definatly try again the time after so I hope to see you all again soon.

I have a week off booked at the end June and am already planning a holiday. I need something to look forward to and the idea of sun sea and sand is just what I need.

Sorry this is copied and pasted from the frolickers conception thread but I didn't feel like typing it up twice.

Thanks for all your help. xxxxx

pixiestix · 14/05/2010 12:33

Oh Halo I am so so sorry. Please take care of yourself, and we will see you back here very soon xx

Spirael · 14/05/2010 14:21

Sorry things didn't work out this time, haloflo. Take it easy for the next week or so, ok? Definitely don't go in to work until you feel ready! A MC, no matter how early, is a big thing to have to go through. It does horrific things to your hormone levels, I found I was all over the place for a week or two at least! Planning lots of fun things to do is definitely a good idea, as well as eating/drinking all your favourite things.

Also, remember it's common to get a fertility boost for several months afterwards. As long as there are no unusual circumstances, there's no reason not to try again as soon as you feel ready in doing so - although waiting is a perfectly valid decision as well. The doctors prefer you to wait because it makes calculating your due date easier, but that is their problem - not yours!

But yes... Take care of yourself, ok? Remember that nothing you did or didn't do caused this, and this is no reflection on how things will go in the future. No matter how dark the night is - dawn is always just around the corner!

NovemberAli · 14/05/2010 15:35

So sorry to hear you're news Halo, take care of yourself and hope to see you back here soon.

sazziej · 14/05/2010 16:56

So sorry to hear your sad news Halo, take care of yourself, and we'll see you back here soon.

mumnerves · 14/05/2010 20:14

Just pop-ed in quickly and wanted to say Haloflo I'm SO sorry!

Big hugs from me and keeping my fingers crossed you'll be back really soon! x

Hermya321 · 14/05/2010 22:22

Oh Haloflo I'm so so sorry, I hope you're ok, take care of yourself.

OP posts: