Anyone due in April 2004?!

[dot1]

Hello!

I found out last week I was pregnant, and although I've not been to my GP yet, various websites and Miriam Stoppard have told me I'm due on March 31st/April 1st! (poor little april fools baby - let's hope it's late...).

I know it's early days, but wanted to start this thread as I've already got lots of questions - like, is anyone else having quite bad pains? I've been getting bad period-type pains, which have been worrying me, but I understand people do get (this is my first pregnancy by the way!).

Right, that's it - hope I get some company soon..!

ds's and baby's surnames are a combination of ours - not double barrelled or anything, but a whole new surname! It's taken people a while to get used to, and getting post is still interesting - people either use mine, dp's or ds's surname - but usually the wrong one! I'd quite like to change my surname to the new one - might do this one day - but dp wants to keep hers, so that would leave hers being the odd one out.

Our girl's name is probably either Annie or Megan, so we're going to see which one she looks like (if she's a girl!). No real consensus on a boy's name yet - maybe Jack but we haven't struck on one that we absolutely love yet.

The Gaviscon I've got is peppermint - it's OK! Can't imagine aniseed - yuck! I've got my 28 week appointment tomorrow so must remember to ask for a prescription - will add it to the list. Keep thinking of new questions to ask the midwife - I realised the other day that I haven't mentioned about this heart thing I've got, which is completely risk-free for me (ectopic heartbeats) but I don't know if it would affect me/baby once I'm huffing and puffing in labour! Probably not, but I might as well ask - it's just the kind of thing that I'm thinking about when I'm lying in bed not sleeping (due to achey hips/back!).

Dot1 - Dunno about the heartbeat thing but sure it's all ok. They can monitor baby continuously anyway so you'll always know what's going on.

Annie's a very pretty name. We're going for Anna as a second name - no reason other than we like it and if 'Lily' doesn't like her name then she could use that.

Achey hips and back - hmm, that sounds familiar.

I know - I just had a dramatic thought the other night that they might make me have a caesarian or something, so I might as well get that worry out of my system at this stage...

ooh - new ache to share (lucky all of you!) which has just started yesterday/today - right at the top of my legs on the inside - like I'm a wishbone starting to be pulled apart..!! Not too bad at the moment - more just a weird feeling - has anyone else got this?!

(by the way, I'm honestly not this drama-ramay about aches and pains when I'm not pregnant!!)

dot1 has your back got any better - you were getting pains down your legs before? My back was terrible all weekend and I went swimming on Sunday just to be able to be somewhere with no gravity - it was lovely.
Have been feeling really sluggish and big and bloated over the Xmas period probably as I haven't been able to get to the gym so was stoked to get there this morning and start back in some good habits. It is amazing how much fitness I have lost not doing much for 2 weeks. We don't have scales at home either so was happy to see that I hadn't put on as much weight as I felt like I had.
As for questions I have my 28 week on Friday and I'm trying to think of stuff to ask as well. I was thinking about asking about baby positioning and where I should expect to feel the head etc and have them help me work it out while I'm there too. I'm trying to train baby to go into the correct positioning.

Hi Udar - my back's generally OK during the day but v. sore when I'm in bed and is stopping me from sleeping now. I'm wrestling with lots of pillows! I noticed it got bad the other day after I'd gone for a walk - I'm hopelessly unfit and am beginning to really regret this... the walk should have done me good but I was so achey when I got back - I admire you for going to the gym still!

I really want to go swimming - just can't seem to carve out the time - haven't been at all during the pregnancy but I can see how lovely it must be at this stage!

At my last ante natal appt., my midwife told me you can't feel the position of the baby until about 28 weeks - so we might get to know which way up they are at our next appointments!

Dot! - I know that pain between the legs exactly. You describe it brilliantly - that's exactly what it feels like. I read about a woman the other day who has eight kids because 'she loves being pregnant'. Is she MAD? I love knowing I'm going to have a baby but...blimey!

At 28 weeks my son was head down but this one feels like she's having a whale of a time lying straight cross me right at the bottom of my stomach.

I've just worked out with my personnel department that I have so much leave owing that my last day at work will be next week. Hurrah! It means I can take paid leave right up until my due date when I will switch to maternity leave. I had to take the leave or lose it as it's from the last two years.

Bluecow,

I am totally GREEN with envy about your annual leave situation

Bluecow - wow I am so jealous that you have so much leave. On coming back to work yesterday the first thing I did was look at my calendar and work out how long I have left. I have 13 wks to go and can't wait (I am planning to go at 36 wks).

With regards to the 28 wk appointment - is that with the midwife or dr, and do you have to book it yourself ??

Dot1, I totally sympathasise with not finding time to do exercise. I have a pilates for pg video and have only used it once and even then I didn't finish it. I find that working f/t I am exhausted by the time I have come home, looked after dd, put her to bed, made dinner etc etc. Weekends aren't much better either. However I have signed up for some antenatal yoga classes which start on Sat. I reckon this is the only way I'll get to do anything.

DH and I have been absoultely hopeless at deciding on a name for this baby. I swear we'll still be arguing about it even once its born.

Baby is kicking away all the time but I must admit I can't see limbs poking out or anything. DH says that he finds by gradually popping out belly button spooky - and I must admit I find it a bit of a pain when it pokes through some of my clothing.

Sorry - didn't mean to provoke holiday envy! Funnily enough though, most of the leave I accrued when off on maternity leave last time and my my very nice employees have said I can keep that leave as well as take what remains of the 2003/4 year so that's why it's totted up so well.

My 28 week appointment will be with my local midwife but that's because my doctor likes pregnant patients to have alternate appointments with her and the midwife. They counted an appointment with a hospital consultant as my 24 week check.

Dot - I'm still laughing at your wishbone description. The way I would have described it as it really feels like I've done myself a mischief! It reminds me of the days when I used to exercise at a gym on those weird machines where you put your legs in moveable stirrup things and move them in and out to exercise your inner and outer thighs. All very undignified looking and that's definitely the area that got a bit tender if you overdid it!

ooh - fancy leaving work next week - yes please!! Although I'm in a much better mood today - found it really hard to get back to work yesterday after 2 weeks off...

Yes, I'm still 'wishboning' around the place - like I've just got off a horse... v. strange feeling but at least it doesn't really hurt.

Had my 28 week appt. and all's well - she could feel baby's head and it's pointing in the right direction!! She let me try and feel it but I have to admit I could only feel fat/me! This appointment was at the hospital and I saw a dr, who's asked to see me again in 4 weeks, but go to the GP midwife in 2 weeks, so it looks like it'll be every 2 weeks up until 36 weeks now, and then I think it'll be weekly.

I got some Gaviscon on prescription - hurrah! - but it's the aniseed flavour - they didn't have any peppermint. Haven't tried it yet but I know I'm going to be a complete wuss and hate it.. mind you, if it's free and it works I'll take it!

I think it is easier for me from an exercise point of view as this is first baby so still have a bit of free time.
Very jealous about finishing work although not sure what I'd do with myself for all that time. I think I'm going to finish 2 wks before if I can - not sure how my back will handle it - I keep having to stand up about every 10mins as that is all I can sit down at a time at the moment.

Ooh whatever you do don't do those thigh exercises at the gym when you are in 2nd or 3rd trimester as they encourage the stretching of the ligaments in the pelvis and can kick in premature labour. (so one of my gym instructors told me).

My 28wk appointment is with a dr at the hospital. It was initially going to be with a midwife but when I saw the dr at hospital at 24 wks she said she wanted to see me again at 28wks. When I went in at 10wks to the hospital for my dating scan they gave me a sheet which basically says which wks appointments are at hospital, which wks at local dr's and I booked a whole lot of them in advance. The only appointmen the hospital sent me was the 10wk scan. How did everybodys hospitals do theirs?

Was I the only one who was gagging to go back to work? maybe cos the house has been full of 3 under 4's (including my sister's) for 2 weeks and it's more relaxing at work.

feeling guilty have done very little exercise for weeks, just can't be bothered and everything's shut over christmas. am planning to start aquanatal classes in a week or two but feel too lazy just now.

I think I'll be climbing the walls to go back to work afterwards - I'm having 6 months off and can't imagine being off work for that length of time - have reserved the right to go back a month or so early if I want (my last 3 weeks of leave = annual leave so I don't have to take it!). I think dp is a complete star for eventually being the one to look after our 2 children - I honestly couldn't do it full-time on my own - would go completely bonkers... My Mum thinks I'll change my mind once baby is here, but although I love ds and I'm sure this one aswell, I'm happy at work (although want to go down to 4 days a week) and find it much less stressful than looking after babies...!

At least at work you can drink a whole hot drink before it goes cold! And even read a paper all the way through in one go. I enjoy my job and do find being with my (lovely though he is) 14 month old mind numbing and hard work, but I've been working in stressy media type jobs since I was 18 and now at my advanced age it's nice to be having a break from the workplace! I expect I'll have to go back after this baby is born though I am part time now and that's quite nice.

Dot1 - if we lived nearer I'd swap your Aniseed for my Peppermint Gaviscon! I hate it.

I know my dh would not want to be a full time carer for our children and thinks work is definitely the easy option!

Hats off to those of you still exercising. It's years since I did any and do want to get back to it after this baby.

I love my dds but looking after them day after day in midwinter in crappy weather isn't such fun. at work (like now!) I can read the paper, waste time here on mumsnet, and just gaze into the distance peacefully.

now I feel guilty about not getting down to work!

I'm planning to work to 40 weeks and go back at 3 months but that's a lot cos my job is so flexible I work from home a lot and whatever hours I feel like. and it's very sedentary I just sit at the computer mostly.

Ooo - you lot have reminded me that staying at home is no walk in the park ! I love my dd too but I also like what I do in my job too. I found that whilst i was on mat leave last time I couldn't wait to go back either - mainly because dd was so hard going and demanding I desperately wanted a break. I did do a SAHM stint later when she was 18mo for 6 months but have to say I couldn't do it always. Hoping to go back p/t eventually but thought I would wait and see what it is like with the new baby first before deciding on a time to come back.

Fennel - how do you organise childcare? It must be tricky working from home and having children - do they go to nursery? Dp has just phoned to let me know that ds has been fine at nursery - his first time at his new one since we moved - he'll be going 1 day a week from this week to give dp and then ultimately us + baby a day off! (he'll probably also appreciate the break from baby...!)

Dot - DD2 goes to nursery 3 days, I look after her one day and DP has her one day. DD1 started school this autumn so has 5 short days, I work from home and stop work at 3pm two days a week and pick her up. DP and I both have flexible jobs though which makes it so much easier, I work sometimes in evenings and have weekends away sometimes with work so it's nice really. Lots of time with sprogs but enjoy the job too. New baby will go to nursery too from about 5 months. DP will take parental leave to look after her before that when I go back.

oh before you think I have it too easy it's underpaid and overworked university research I do - good on flexibility autonomy and job stimulation but little job security, low salary etc.... I like it but it's certainly not perfect in all respects

sounds like a great combination of nursery/home care though - we had a similar set up in London where ds went to nursery 2 days a week and had 2 days a week with dp and 1 with me. Hopefully in the end ds and baby will go to nursery 2 days a week from September and dp will get a part-time job - essentially to cover the childcare but to get her back to work so she doesn't go too mad!!

Right, off for a stroll around the office - via the nearest chocolate machine..!

Yes the mix of me, DP and nursery is good we all like that. but DP really had to fight for it his work were not keen nor do they like him taking parental leave. so again it's good but it comes at a price his work gets pissed off with him.

I find it v sad that parenting commitments are frowned upon in the workplace. Both DH's and mine are not that supportive. Earlier this year when DH wanted to take 2 wks parental leave his manager actually tried to claim that the company didn't do parental leave - until DH pointed out that it was the law!

This is when I feel lucky working in the NHS, where they really are brilliant about maternity/parental leave. I even got 2 weeks paid parental leave when ds was born, and I then took another 4 weeks off so felt v. lucky to be at home for his first 6 weeks!

Dot1 - what do you do in the NHS? (my employer too!)

I'm a business manager at the moment, although more used to being a service manager and really want to get into the HR side of things. My last NHS trust was really small and I was able to get involved in all sorts of stuff on the HR side, but have bizarrely ended up being a business manager in Manchester - not attached to a particular Trust, but employed by the NHS! I'm missing hospital life - feel at home where there's wards/clinics. Dp hates hospitals and thinks I'm bonkers, but I love the feel of hospitals - as long as I'm not a patient - I'm rubbish at being one of those!