D'ya ever wonder how many pine needles you can hand pick from a carpet?

[devondoris]

Look, look! Not only am I here, but I've started a new thread!

I wasn't sick at all

Think I wilfully misinterpreted mild nausea as hunger pangs and ate like a pig till wk14, hence 11kgs heavier now at 22wks (on top of the 5kg I put on when I stopped smoking last year). Rubenesque, I say ... the more the merrier!

Feels totally brilliant not to be smoking though. Don't miss it too much and the smoking ban really helps. Don't give up on giving up (who ever it was who was giving up!)

If anyone needs a giggle, my friend sent me this - needs the sound on:

Pazza x

yes I was really ill with her too, not to the same extent but about 3 times per day and to about 17 weeks, funny isnt it? And she is fine, although she has another cold, as do the rest of us, so far its been colds and various bugs since the middle of December, oh to feel human again!

And yes - are you going for number 4 FG??

It will be 5 because she will have twins again... Mars is probably going to stay for doula purposes

Ladies I need your help!

Why is it that multiple mums suddenly lose all the rights and options that have been fought for over the decades? The 'home from home' birth units, birth plans, continuity of care ...

Over the last 2 months I've been in touch with just about every Independent Midwife in and around London who has experience of twin homebirths and have drawn a complete blank. The few who do have the experience are away at the critical time (May).

So it looks like hospital it is. I have heard lots of very positive stories about the Homerton, which is great. But...

The Homerton's midwives helpline seemed pretty sure I was going to be hooked up to a drip in the delivery suite with constant fetal monitoring all the way through, so the pool is out, no chance of meeting the midwives in advance, blah blah. Seems about as far from a situation that would help the natural process of labour as possible! I am deeply suspicious of whether the midwives on call at the time will even be confident dealing with a twin birth.

It looks like the only option is to get a really good Doula to support DH and I, to at least try to get me some space and privacy and put my wishes across.

So my question is ... can anyone recommend such a super-Doula? (Mars will be in St Lucia! ) Any recommendations very very welcome. I would like to be enjoying this special time but I really feel like it is all completely out of my control and it's starting to get me down.

Cheers, Pazza x

Pazz... you saw Ema if I remember correctly and I would highly recommend her and also Carly

Have you tried Doula UK?

I would also speak to the Head of Midwifery at the Homerton. You need to find out if they have any community mws or hospital mws that have been involved with vaginal birth and homebirth of twins. It's ridiculous the way no one seems to have any experience of natural labours anymore. Really saddens me!

Pazza, I know! I had excellent care when pg with the DTs but also you are pressured to conform to such a lot. Hope you can get something sorted x.

Girls! Girls! Girls! I am not pregnant. Long story there......I can't rule out a number 4 (ok I'd LOVE that) but I really couldn't cope with nos 4 and 5. Also, I am only just returning to myself after nearly 3.5 years. Hopefully time remains on my side (just). We'll see. And no, I'm not trying. Just dreaming really. And if DP immerses himself back into work (which is going to happen soon) then I'd be a single mum again. So it needs careful dreaming thought.

No, I'm just really curious about pg with DTs and sickness. Just wondered if it was a given that if you were having DTs then you'd be floored but Pazza has proved that wrong

Momma, fantastic! Good for you girl! And my, you are looking fantabulous if I may say it.

she's not real is she girls, she is pretend. No mother of twins can feel so good, look so good, cope so well, be such a lovely D'y ever contributor. I fear she is a troll. Must be a researcher or something........

I think its hugely sad that twins seem to = no trained midwives. Mine were so lovely and capable and actually the words CS were never mentioned to me by any of my doctors, just everyone else I had such a lovely DT birth. So much happier than when I had DD1. I hope it works out.

booo FG, thought you were PG!! you could then be PGFG! DH hasnt lost hope that we might have a no. 4........I dont know how to tell him that I just dont think I could go through it again, although I sometimes think it might be nice to have another girl for Maddy......

Its worse here in Switzerland Mars. I found out we have the highest rate of CS in Europe (or somewhere, can't remember but very high). The midwives are not trained to the level in the UK os the doctors tend to be totally in charge. Most people have private doctors (because of how the health insurance works) so of course they prefer to fit the births in at their convenience. Most hospitals won't natural, normal unless they are sure it will be text book. I agree its really sad.

FG, I suffered bad nausea with both pregnancies, it wasn't any worse with the dts.

Hope you have a lovely evening Momma.

Pazza I had my DTs (and DD1) at the Homerton. My consultant was Mr Dorman (I think) and he was fab and a twin expert. Even though my girls shared a sac as well as a placenta, he was quite happy for me to try for a vaginal (don't know how natural it would have been ) birth if I had gone into labour spontaneously before 37 weeks. He did feel that at that point I should have a CS due to the potential complications for ID twins (placental deterioration etc). He even gave me instructions on what to tell the consultant/midwives assisting me if he wasn't around . So it might be worth demanding to switch consultants to him if you're not with him already. I can tell you that once I started seeing him in the ante-natal clinic, I didn't see a midwife until I was on the ward waiting for my CS - I always saw him for my ante-natal appointments. They did try to fob me of with a registrar once, but I kicked up such a fuss, they realised it wasn't worth their while . I will say I had a very positive experience with my CS but the post-natal care was a bit lax, primarily because they are so busy. They normally give all twin mums a side room so long as they have one available which is great to be away from the hordes and means your partner can stay with you undetected by the nurses/midwives who throw them out at 9.30pm! But it can also mean that you get a bit forgotten so I kept ringing my bell whenever I needed something - and pushed the crib out to the nurses station if they didn't respond . The food is dire by the way!

A doula I know in the Hackney area is Bridget Baker (she lives in E8) - I might still have her phone number if you are interested. I think Mars did some of her training with her, so would know better than me if she is good . I did my ante-natal classes with her and really liked her.

Momma, thank you so much for your essay on gluten-free pastry making . I do have some xanthan gum, but will defininely buy some alternative flours to give those recipes a try. DD1 loves making it with me, so we shall have lots of fun .

FG, I got all excited earlier - really thought Momma had seen through your clues . FWIW I was never sick, but felt horribly nauseous throughout the first trimester with the DTs and really, really exhausted. With DD1 I had suffered a little nausea, but it was soon solved by eating .

Oh and I've found my wedding dress on-line - will post a link later, got to put the dinner on now .

dress please TKB

I was terribly sick when pg with dd1 as well. I really was just curious!!!

Am tipsy. and DP pissing me off because he's not. jfshfshjfdsjfkl there, thats better

ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

FG - me too, DH on booze free Jan. Me - made it to 11th and gave up. Tis Friday night!!! Hurrah!!

Hi all ... have just skimmed today's posts here. Twinkle ... hope you're either feeling better or receiving medical attention - preferably the former!

Had my 20w scan today. Little ones look good - both measuring as they should, all organs look okay & they were jumping around like mad. One was head down, the other feet down but I guess they could've flipped a dozen times since this morning . Have been having lots of bump pain and as I suspected my abdominal rectus (?) muscle has split ... have a nasty feeling that's my stomach gone forever and ever . Still, as long as they're okay. Don't go back for 6 weeks ... seems like a long time!

Was up at 5.30am this morning to get to apt on time so am off to bed now!

Oh - and whoever asked - FG? - I was horribly sick with these two ... awful awful nausea, couldn't get off the couch for 3 months. The vomiting started at 8w but I wasn't physically sick that much (well, maybe 4 weeks of 1-2 times a day) but it was the fact it was awful bile I was bringing up. Couldn't eat but couldn't not eat, IYKWIM. It was just horrible. Am still taking Cyclizine but this week managed to cut back from 3/day to 2/day so am quite proud of myself - though do notice the nausea now late afternoons. Sigh.

here you go FG. It's a bit greener than it looks in this picture, but not really green. It's long and floaty and I'm sooo pleased with it. I got this to wear over it (it will be February after all ) and this bag.

Still need shoes and jewellery. Shoes might be an issue - I'm 5'8 as it is, DP is about the same and I don't want to tower over him. And I don't really 'do' heels anyway, but the dress definitely needs a bit of a heel, not least because otherwise it'll get a bit dirty in the puddles! Any suggestions gratefully received . I had a quick look in the shops yesterday but they've mainly got sale stuff still so thought I might leave it a couple of weeks or so.

Ooo, gorgeous TKB! No use asking me about wedding shoes - I wore trainers!

Just watched Sister Act 2. I love those movies and the songs give me tingles everytime I watch them - I'M SO SAD!

And before we bundled the boys into bed we watched Home Alone 2 with them for the first time and they loved it! They were giggling their heads off and it was so lovely - I loved that film when I was little. Ah, memories.

Anyway enough is enough girls. I'll get behind the door, the rest of you get ready and the next time Mars and Frumpy come in, we'll pin them down and demand to know.......

IS MARS VISITING FRUMPY'S CASTLE?

No time to really post, but that dress is gorgeous tkband, you will look gorgeous!

twinkle, hope you get something sorted soon.

I was all hopeful too for another multiples pg! Same here though, the idea of another set of twins terrifies me.

tripley its me

hello to the rest of you, no time now but will catch up later, hopefully

dingdong! yes yes yes, your classic outfit suits you much better, welcome back!

Love you all though!!! MWAH!!!