Expecting in Oxford 2012 (inc. late 2011 too)

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

Hi... so just been confirmed I'm due 10th (ish) of January and would love to get chatting to some others in the same area who are also expecting... As I said In the title that includes those of you due late 2011, as well - it's a very inclusive thread - as long as you'd be able to make some meet ups in Oxfordshire and you're going through some stage of reproduction then you'd be welcome :-)

I know there's at least one more of you out there (ghost - you there?)

Stats time:

MakesCakesWhenStressed - expecting #1 EDD 10 Jan 2012

I felt a bit like that as well makecakes 26 with DD will be 27 with this one. People back home had kids when they were teenagers so are a fair few years old now. People I work with/friends were horrified at the thought. I was still finishing my PhD and I think that not knowing what you'll be doing afterwards leads people to fear commitment more. They were shocked enough at me getting married (DH is 5 years older). It was like being stuck in the middle but still not having anyone going through it at the same time. Luckily it's been great and I like think our age is still a big help with energy etc. I've also been glad that I've seen the realities of having a family etc. at the start of my career and I still have time to decide what direction I want to take.

It's 12:15am here and I should think about bed but damn pg insomnia. I have to be up in 6 hours as it is.

It is good to know there are experienced mums here. I would like to have started earlier but it has taken a while, my pregnancy is from fertility treatment (so twins were always more likely and I have known since week 6, ghosteditor). It is also really exciting to have lots of new people moving to the area. For meeting up I guess we are looking at evenings or weekends as many people are working. Mondays are the only evening I can't do. What about others?

penguin and cakes I'm in exactly the same situation - older DH, all his friends are doing the married/pg thing, while all of mine were shocked that we decided to get married and will be (briefly) horrified that we're having kids! We've been together for seven years, though. It's only a five year age gap but it's a huge one in terms of readiness for this kind of thing. I really don't feel like I have anyone my age going through the same thing, which is why MN is so great for me. I do know a few people in RL having first kids though so hopefully they'll help out too.

Also, welcome to the new people, great to have a fuller list.

I've just been to my booking in appointment and feel a bit like a pin cushion as they struggled to get enough blood. I'm fine with bloods being taken, thankfully. They tried to tell me that I may be dehydrated due to feeling nauseated but that's rubbish as I had to do a urine sample and it was very pale - I drink loooooads of water anyway. MW was lovely though and very chipper and enthusiastic. I think I was a bit nervous (and anxious about being spotted by someone I know or work with) as my blood pressure was quite high.

I'm away next week. I have a shedload of other commitments so it might be best if you organise the meet up and I'll come along if I can. I work full time too.

Shall we say a Saturday morning then? I won't be able to do anything tomorrow or next week, but perhaps we can sort something for the weekend after that (the 20-somethingth?) Does anybody know somewhere fairly central with decent parking and buses?

I've been with my dh for 7 years too, but he's only 2 years older. My friends are starting to get married now, but I still feel like a bit of a trail blazer. I'm looking forward to having some friends at the same stage as me. I'm a bit unusual in that career isn;t a massive thing for me (I work for money, not for joy) and save my passion for writing fiction and family. I've wanted to be a mum for ages and love being a wife - a horribly old-fashioned and anti-feminist attitude it would seem, but it makes me happy.

I really need to write the last chapter of my book and start sending it out into the world, perhaps I'd get less funny looks from old school friends if I was published. Luckily my friends just take me as I am, even though they're all rather career driven.

And I'm waffling, sorry - time for a nap! I swear I have never slept so much and I used to have an illness that left me tired all the time! 9 hours a night, plus hour-long naps in the daytime. Good thing I don't work in an office!

Hi cakes, I am curious to know what your book is about. I am at home most of the time as well, writing a dissertation. Morning of Saturday 23rd June works well for me. Not sure about suggesting a place as I don't know people's tastes, but will have a think...

It's a YA advnture novel - think modern famous five, no ginger beer or picnics ;-)

What area would suit you? When we have an area we can narrow down venues :-)

What is YA? Sorry hopeless with internet acronyms, trying to learn. But modern famous 5 sounds cool, are you sure that references to ginger beer are not necessary? There must be some kind of 21st century alcopop version.

I live in Oxford so that's best for me, I don't drive but I'm willing to travel by train.

Young Adult - don't think it's an internet thing, think it's a lazy literary thing I might have them drink Fruit Shoots ;-) Nah - it's all Irn Bru and toxic orange drinks these days - nothing so healthful and wholesome as lashings of ginger beer!

I don't know Oxford very well, but have a sat nav and am happy to drive as long as I can park easily and for free/cheap. :-)

The Jam Factory is somewhere I like near Oxford train station, which I suppose is easy to get to, there is also a car park next to the station but I'm not sure of charges. www.thejamfactoryoxford.com/

It is more laid back than it looks from the website, they are open for breakfast/ coffee from 10am, although it doesn't say so from the website.

Or could go for coffee in Oxford city centre, can park in car park behind Westgate Shopping Centre.

cakes - I'm in publishing as it happens! Not your kind of publishing though I'm afraid. A friend of mine has just signed a two book deal with a children's publisher - very exciting and his first book, too.

I've heard good things about the jam factory! Won't be able to make the meet up this time around though... have fun!

makescakes I think that is a fabulous position to be in career wise. I wish I was the kind of person who could just turn up and work then walk away from it. It's not like I get paid loads so that side isn't important, but I do need job satisfaction, ideally with perfect part time hours but I'm realistic at least.

I spent my first pg writing for most of it, the joys of a thesis. However, the looming deadline of birth was great for focusing the mind and not procrastinating

Well, I do get job satisfaction from what I do, but I'm not passionate about it... the joys of getting bored easily I guess - I'm happy to do lots of stuff. Anyway, I learnt what I'm doing when I was self-publicising my E-fiction, so it all ties together somewhere :-)

OMG - so nice to be getting my brain back and not feeling so dizzy! I missed chatting on here when I got lonely :-)

Tomorrow's challenge - going to a Chinese restaurant in Oxford for dinner plus meeting some of DH's work collegaues for first time - an evening meal out is bad enough. Oh well, will pack chewing gum, plain biscuits and ginger sweets!

see I think that's my problem I keep getting jobs with boring parts in them. Where you end up killing time because there's nothing to do and it drives me crazy.

I am looking forward to a good curry when I get back to the UK (heartburn or incompatibility with pg be dammed). Good luck for tonight

Hi everyone,

Hope you've all had a good day. I can't meet up on Sat 25th June as it's my DH's 30th birthday (lots of drunk people, fun for me!!!!!!!!!!). Happy to sit this one out but would like to meet up in the future if you'll have me?
I live in Uffington (near the white horse) but happy to travel into central Oxford. I can do Fridays or weekends.

Hugs xxx

Hi,

I'm not in Oxford yet and i'm afraid that i'm busy on the 25th, visiting a friend.

Currently planning my excuse for not drinking with her, but have this strange feeling that she could be pregnant too. Wouldn't it be funny if we were both lying about reasons not to drink?! I have decided that if she comes up with some naff excuse for abstaining, i'll just come clean and hope she does too. Only thing is that we havent yet even told our parents so feel a bit disloyal telling other people first.

Enjoy the gathering, i look forward to meeting everyone once i'm set up in the region. xx

I don't know how you haven't told your parents. We were planning on waiting until this weekend, but had to bring it forwards because I was so ill we didn't think we'd be able to hide it any longer! Lucky you if you've been able to carry on as normal! Thankfully I feel like I've reached a bit of a turning point and am suffering less and less with sickness now, and I know what to do to combat the dizziness so am feeling much more like myself again - thank goodness!

Hope you're all well today and doing something exciting this weekend
x

Hi everyone, just wanted to wish you all a good weekend and good luck to all those breaking/ hiding baby news, whatever it is. Personally I found it impossible to hide from people! Interesting the different reactions you get as well...

I'm clearly nesting. Spent whole morning cleaning and food shopping, but now feel absolutely shattered and ready for bed again!

I'm still only 6 weeks, so thankfully not too symptomatic, just very tired and sometimes slightly nauseous. Glad you're feeling a bit better cakes it sounds like you've had a really tough time. I think that one of the thoughest things is feeling rough and being forced to explain why to people when it's such early days. Plus if you had a great big bump i think people would be more understanding.

Really trying to hold out til 9 weeks to tell parents. They're currently on holiday, so that makes it a bit easier.

Hi guys. Haven't been on thread since I left for Greece a month ago, although have hovered. I'm afraid I have to officially leave now - my pregnancy ended last Monday at 11 weeks.

I just wanted to come back to wish you all well - Oxford is such a fantastic place to have a child and you're going to love it.

All the best, ladies,

Liska

Liska,

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm 11+2 weeks and I've had a small amount of bleeding today. Feeling very stressed as you can imagine. I wish you all the best.

Thanks Littlepic - I may not be the best placed person to say this, but bleeding - even at 11 weeks - is really common and doesn't need to be a bad sign.

My advice though is to call your GP - they can get you checked out at the Early Pregnancy Unit at the JR, and they'll set your mind at rest.

Thanks Liska,

Because I live in south Oxford I opted to be treated at the Great Western. Not sure if they have a early scanning unit there.

Littlepic I bled until just after my 12 week scan. Didn't have that with DD so it freaked me out, but it never bright red. Your scan is soon isn't it?

Liska sorry for you loss

Hi Penguin scan is on Friday. How many days did u bleed for?

It was on and off from 8 weeks, would bleed for a few days, then stop for a week etc. It's horrible not knowing either way, the waiting to see if it develops into anything stronger, stays static or goes away. Needs much hand holding so be kind to yourself.