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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Anyone else due this month??

7 replies

Jenny95 · 22/07/2010 17:07

Hi im 15 and 39.1 pregnant with my first. my due date is on the 28th july..can't wait. I'm having a girl
Need advice for stretch marks (cream/oils that actually WORK) and just have a chat about everything in general really

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buttonmoon78 · 22/07/2010 17:12

Hi Jenny

I'm guessing from your posts that the stretchmarks are really bothering you huh? I'm afraid once they're there they're there to stay. They will fade though. Some people are proud of them (I'm not one of them!).

I'm not currently pg but I love babies so love to lurk on the board! I also had my first pretty young (I was 19) so I was sure I was much more ignorant of what to do than other, older mums. Turned out no one has any idea what to do at first!

I hope you're little girl comes soon, I always loved the last few days.

OgreRebel · 22/07/2010 17:17

Go to the antenatal topic and there will be a group of women there due this month. Hang on, just in case you don't know your way around...

Here and they also have another one here, greedy beggars.

In terms of stretchmarks, depends what you mean by 'work'. There's nothing that will stop them coming or get rid of them but you can put cream on to reduce the itch. Genetic I'm afraid but they do fade with time.

Jenny95 · 22/07/2010 17:19

I've even got stretch marks on the top of my arms though =/ they're everywhere =/
Aren't there any creams/oils that improve them?
Where did you get stretch marks?
And is there anything to help get labour going? pineapple? does that work?

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OgreRebel · 22/07/2010 17:28

Nothing will get labour going. All of the sex/curry/pineapple stuff are old wives tales and none of it works any better than sitting and eating chocolate or sleeping. Your baby will come when it's ready and I promise you, you want it no other way. You'd be better off just doing things to make you happy.

I have stretchmarks on my stomach, boobs, thighs, bum, back, knees. I was a roadmap by the end, a Freddy Krueger inspired roadmap. They do fade though. My dd is 3 years old and they're silvery now instead of red.

Jenny95 · 22/07/2010 17:33

How long did it take for you to get back to your original shape? whats the best excercise to do afterwards? And how long did it take for your stretch marks to fade?

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OgreRebel · 22/07/2010 17:49

Jenny, I know when you look in the mirror and your body seems so different, there's a huge part of you that is desperate to know that it won't always be that way. In 9 months your body changes in ways you can't even believe. And before the baby's here you can get very fixated on that. Firstly, when you have your little girl in your arms you'll be so full of joy and love that it will lessen they way you feel about how you look right now. You may feel very proud of your body and what it has achieved. You should do. It's very clever.

I'll be honest with you, immediately after you give birth, you will still look pregnant. Your uterus is still enlarged, your organs are squished and your body has stretched immeasurably. Don't worry too much in those first weeks. Breastfeeding will help your uterus contract back down and will use up extra calories. It will also allow you to sit and get to know your baby and recover.

In terms of exercise, well it's never a good idea to chuck yourself into a whole new regime if you're not used to it. Generally, a normal and active lifestyle and a good diet will see the excess weight go. Walking lots with the pram's good for you too in more ways than one.

It is entirely feasible, if not likely that you won't regain your normal shape. Not to say you won't be as attractive, as slim or the same weight again. Just that pregnancy changes you and that's just fine. I'm a completely different shape now- bigger breasts, slightly curvier but probably look better than I did before. I'm certainly fitter than I've ever been (I took up running when my dd was 18 months but just for fun).

The stretchmarks? About a year before they were silvery but they improve within a few months.

Please try not to worry.

buttonmoon78 · 22/07/2010 21:07

I second OgreRebel's comments. Be kind to yourself - your body's been through an awful lot these last 9 months. When you're ready (and I would suggest you don't even think about it for 6 weeks min) then there's lots you can do to help your body. You'll already have been doing lots of walking by then, but you can think about something like pilates (you could get a dvd so you can fit it in with your baby).

When I was about your stage (ie ready to pop) my mum sat me down and gave me some advice which felt very harsh at the time but looking back I realised what a wise old bird she is. She told me that this baby was going to be in my life forever, bringing me happiness and that stretchmarks and a few saggy bits were the flip side of the coin.

FWIW, I had loads of stretchmarks. I used to be soooo hung up on them, would never have worn a bikini etc. Then I realised that the livid red marks I'd been so worried about had faded to silver and now I don't care. In the immortal words of Shirley Valentine (you're far too young for that film!) they are a badge of motherhood, they map my life and made me what I am. Corny. But true.

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