Pregnancy post mc: Totally Grads Part 10!

[CollieandPup]

New Shiny Thread Ladies!!!

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collie I am sitting here with my mouth WIDE open reading your post...unbelievable!! I can't believe they didn't call the fire brigade, especially with all those pregnant women in there! Hope you're okay after that, and glad DH is agreeing to a homebirth now! Yes, we are incredibly lucky with the car - I was pretty shocked at how quickly we found one too!

bigmac Yes, will definitely take a notepad along - I didn't experience natural onset of labour last time, so I want myself and DH to be better prepared - I have a feeling this little one will be coming quicker than his big sis! About your right side - maybe baby lays on a nerve or something on the right, which causes the discomfort?

WIW I'll try to lure some over with the promise of goodies!

Ahh doo poor you for the wibble. It is happening though :)

collie hope you don't mind me flagging up that there is a story to be told?

Happy to wiw. The MW said the following about contractions - can pink or owl and other ladies who have DCs already etc confirm this to be true? And sorry that this is an essay, brace yourselves ladies...

Basically what happens in a contraction is that there is a ripple from the top of your uterus, right up above your belly button and under your ribcage, to your groin and back up again (the peak of when it knacks the most being when it reaches your groin before travelling back up again). The point being that each contraction is softening your cervix and warming you up for active labour.

Some people will think they have been in labour for a long time (my labour was 5 days long etc) when in fact they have been in what is called the latent phase rather than active labour (although I'm sure if you are in it, it feels pretty fucking active :)) This is when contractions are mild (!) and there is no real time pattern to them. Apparently, active labour is really only about 12-14 hours long, the equivalent to your average waking day.

Contractions start as a period pain-esque feeling usually quite low down in your pelvis and/or back. As things progress, you will most likely feel the contraction start a little higher up your abdomen until, eventually, you are feeling a wave go from the top of your uterus, down to your fanjo and back up again. According to the MWs, it's only when you are feeling this full wave (which will most likely knack enough to mean you have to stop what you are doing and focus on what's happening) AND your contractions are less than 5 mins apart from each other that you need to go to hospital (if that's where you are going). Don't wait until this point to phone the hospital though - they need to know this is going on so that they can be ready :)

Each contraction takes around 1 minute - the difference is that you will not be aware of most of the contraction at first. And the peak of the sensation will be when the wave reaches your groin, it will then ebb as it starts to go back up your abdomen. By the time you are in active labour and things are really hotting up, a contraction could take up to 90 seconds and be 1 minute apart.

When you are in the latent phase, she said the key things to do were
take 2 paracetemol for comfort (as per instructions on the packet and only if they are safe for you to take), take regular baths, filled up to/beyond the overflow (using plasticine to block the hole), rest/sleep where you can as you don't want to be knackered for the actual labour and when not sleeping, move around and be mobile. Distraction is key to not mentalling. Apparently. And if the latent phase goes on for ages, you can request better pain killers than paracetemol.

For those of you that have been through this, I'm really sorry if this doesn't ring true! I need a cup of tea now.

wow collie - that's a dramatic story, sounds like you coped very well but I can see why that whole experience might have swayed your decision, I hope DHs fears are alleviated with the mw visit.

Youre right wiw - one day at a time is required, just what DH says - why can't I get that into my thick head sometimes!

thanks for the info re contractions bigmac - feel like a bit of a numpty on the knowledge front at the moment!

velvet - so pleased your DH is nearly home. Sorry you're in pain - you've been amazingly brave, I hope you're reunited very soon - wouldn't it be amazing if miniv puts in a dream appearance not long after your DHs return!

Uggh, few more hours of work to go....

Doh yes I did know the lift story!!!

Bigmac good contractions advice there. Sounds like what I had last time, except they never really got overly painful for me before my epidural. They are like a wave and you do have to stop and breathe properly to ride through them.

Collie wish I could have a home birth. I really wanted one last time but no chance this time. What a story that was!

Saw the consultant today. No chance of new MLU, I have to go to the hospital next door where the doctors are. I can foresee much prodding and messing resulting in another CS looming. We can but hope for a more natural experience this time but at least with a CS I don't have to fear for my fanjo tearing, just another scar in the same place.

Velvet like Bigmac says, mini V might come along after your DH gets back. I think you're more likely to go into labour when you are feeling secure and relaxed.

Morning ladies.

bigmac this being dc1 I have no idea if your description fits experience, but it certainly matches everything I've been told so far too!! 5 days of latent labour....sounds like fun!!

irene sorry you're nit able to get mlc, fx you get a nice, none tearing natural birth though!

Right, I'm sorry but I'm giving out a rant alert now!!!! This has been brewing since last night but I didn't get chance to vent post!! DH must have mentioned to SIL our ordeal at the hospital on Sunday night and she has then subsequently seen the various comments on my fb page about a hb. In response to which she has text DH saying she doesn't think we should have a hb and that's it's the wrong thing for various reasons!!!! He then replies, 'oh well we're still weighing up our options' ....apart from seeing the mw for final reassurances I thought we'd agreed and were NOT weighing up options, as they'd all been weighed!!! He does this because she's a bloody bully and standing up to her is really hard work!! But it's really pee'd me off!!! Firstly i am sick of that look you get off people when you mention hb, like you are mad, and a bad mother, followed by the question, 'oh no, why would you want bow of those they're not safe' aghhh!! But that aside, it's NONE OF HER BUSINESS!!!!! How dare she say what we are doing is wrong, and try and influence DHs decision behind my back! I'm just glad we are not around the corner as I know she'd be on at him when she saw him otherwise!! What really gets me is all this is from a woman who has made so many decisions that dh and I don't agree with- opting for cs for dc2 after cs with dc1, co-sleeping with dc1 until she was 3 and sleeping in separate rooms from DH for the last 4 years because of co-sleeping habits, not going anywhere outside the house (literally) because it's too much hassle, feeding dc2 who is 3.5yrs crisps and chocolate biscuits all day!!! In my opinion all things I think are the wrong choices, but they are her choices to make. Her kids are safe, loved and looked after and as long as that's the case it's Noone else's business. She's like the MIL you dread....expect she's the SIL!!!!

Ok, as you all were!!!

Oh collie, what is it with family members who feel they are able to pass judgement? It's bang out of order and I feel for you as it's so frustrating. Like you say, choice is a personal thing and the difference between the two of you is that you are polite enough and sophisticated enough to be able to appreciate that someone else may have a different approach... she is not.

I know and you know that home births are a great and safe option and that they wouldn't let you have one if there was even a sniff of a complication. The MW at parentcraft couldn't praise it highly enough and you will be even more supported by MWs than if you are in hospital - where do we all think they are going to send the most experienced MWs?

Let the dust settle with MrC (it's so easy to slip back into family patterns of behaviour) and then pretend as if she has never spoken to him :)

NCT last night. Got my first proper whiff of scepticism when the leader mentioned that the hospitals in our catchment don't routinely offer pain relief and that we have to ask for it. Total bullshit. MW explained the, very reasonable, processes on Saturday so I know this to be untrue and challenged it. She also quoted much higher stats for not getting to your 1st choice hospital than are actually true. I saw the stats on Saturday. NCT, my beady eye is on you...

For those of you who have been, how was (if at all) the awkwardness of suggesting you meet up outside of class broached?

velvet how are you doing today?

doo worry not - you are not a numpty. How are we supposed to know any of this stuff until someone tells us?

milky good point about the nerve - that might be the answer.

collie saw your post about SIL & homebirth. I'm on my phone so sorry can't make it a long post but my initial thought was I totally agree with you that it is your decision & SIL should butt out but as I read it could your DH just be saying we're weighing up options just to keep SIL in check. I know I would say that to interfering rellies just to shut them up a bit even if I knew I was going with something else. Also if it was said on FB, then definitely take with a pinch of salt. Have you spoken with DH since he made that comment?

Hope the MW meeting is helpful for you both.

to the NCT bigmac. That's very norty if them. Sounds like you're pretty informed though & that's the most important thing.

Waves to everyone else.

Ok seeing as though I just need to add a week, i've updated the stats. Hopefully I can manage that without cocking it up!

Tuesday 11 October

IreneHeron - DS no 2, 38+2 weeks, EDD 23rd Oct.
Tunnocksteacake - baby#2 38+1 weeks EDD 24th October
Hotnspicyonions - baby#2 38+1 weeks EDD 24th October
Velvetcu - baby#1 38+0 wks EDD 25th October
MummyAbroad baby #2 36+4 wks EDD 4th November
CEP baby #2 36+3 wks EDD 5th Nov
Katherine2008 baby#2 35+5 EDD 10th November
Collieandpup baby #1 34+2 wks EDD 20th November
Wombatinwaiting - baby # 1 33+5 wks EDD 24th November
LaraMi baby #1 33+4 weeks EDD 25th November
Izzy - baby #3 33+3 wks EDD 26th November
Bigmacandhappymeal - baby#1 33 weeks EDD 29th November
Blackkat - baby #1 32+1 wks EDD 5th December
Minnie74 -baby1 31+1 wks EDD 12th December
Harassedandherbug - baby #4 29+5 wks EDD 22 December
Dooscooby - baby #1 29+5 wks EDD 22 December
Youremindmeofthebabe Baby#2 27+6 wks EDD 5th Jan
Sunchild77 Baby #3 27+4 wks EDD 6th Jan - Elcs at 39 wks
Freezingmyarseoff baby#2 27+3 wks EDD 7th Jan
Milkyways baby #2 27+2 wks EDD 8th January
Laylasmummy 25+3 wks EDD 21 Jan
Stitchinline 19+6 wks EDD 29 February
boodleboot - baby #4 9+5 wks EDD 14th May

Waiting to join the list (lurkers):
Please add yourselves in if you wish!

MIA
Tigerbear - baby#1 EDD 14th May
Wobblewatcher - baby#2 EDD 27th June
Inbetweener - baby#3 43+3 wks EDD 17th July
emmywoo
Purplehibiscus
Lucysnowe

The babies are arriving! Huge congratulations to:

Totally with daughter Faith Juliet, 9lb5oz born Tuesday 16th February 2010
Amyboo with son Matthew James, 4.714kg (10lb3oz) born Tuesday 30th March 2010
Hoops with son Benjamin Scott, 7lb4oz born Friday 2nd April 2010
Memorylapse with daughter Olivia, born Friday 16th April 2010
Jacanne with daughter Lotta Eliza, 8lbs 5oz born 20th April 2010
Becky78 with son Thomas Christopher born 22nd May, 9lb 1oz
Meita with son Ianto born 23 August, 7lbs 4
Boodleboot with daughter Alice Elizabeth born 10 Sep - 8lbs 2oz
LeeWT with son Andrew Anthony born 28th Sept 7lbs 14oz
TFLS with son Charlie born on 30th September, 6lbs 8oz
SamB with daughter Ruby Mae born 19th October, 7lbs 10oz
Effilump with son Arlen born 16th October, 8lbs
Sarahlou8 with daughter Emily Isabella born 21st October, 7lb8oz
Unbuffy with son James Anthony born 3rd December, 6lb8oz
HappyGirl with daughter Ciara born 10th December, 8lb2oz
Malteser1981 with son Eli born 18 December, 8lb 6oz
Zayja with daughter Winona born 19 December, 7lbs 11oz
Sparklyrainbow with son Alex born 28th December, 9lb 7oz
GoodLuckBear with son James born 25th December, 8lb
BunnyBaby with son Daniel George born 5th January 2011, 10lb 1oz
AlbaDeTamble - with son born 10th Jan 2011, 8lbs 10oz
Gilda - with son Ren born 10th Jan 2011, 8lb 4oz
WestYorkshireGirl - with daughter Hester Rose born 14th Jan 2011, 6lb 4oz
Redheadgal - with daughter Cecily Anne born 13th Jan 2011, 8lbs 13oz
Toomuchteaching - with daughter Jemima born 17th Jan 2011, 8lb1/4oz
Dorcas111 - with daughter born 4th February 2011 8lbs 5oz
Clareanna - with son Tobias born 10th February 7lbs 10oz
Muser - with daughter born 15th February 6lbs 12oz
Ba8y1 ? with son born Tuesday 15th February, 8lbs 11oz
Lotta123 - with baby born Monday 21st February
Magic8ballhastheanswers - Identical twin girls, born 27th February 6lb8 & 5lb15
Northerngoldilocks - with son born Wednesday 16th March, 9lb 6oz
Stuffedmk - with son Thomas, born Wednesday 23rd March
Hopefully - with son, born 29th March 7lb 12oz
Lia - with daughter, born 1st April 8lb 11oz
PenguinsMummy - with daughter Clodagh
VivClicquot - with daughter, Phoebe, born Thursday 28 April, 7lb 5oz
Ivysedai - with son, born Tuesday May 2nd 3.83KG
Loopymumsy - with daughter, born Thursday 12th May, 7lb 15oz
Caribou - with son, Caleb, born Saturday 28 May, 9lb 1oz
LittleMiss - with son- born Wednesday 1st June 7lb 1oz
appleblossoms - with son Malachi, born Wednesday 15th June, 9lb 4oz
crochetcircle - with daughter born Sunday 26th June, 8lb 4oz.
urbanlolly - with daughter born Tuesday 19th July, 8lb 3oz.
Nickster - with son Corey born Tuesday 2nd August
Tiggersreturn - with sons born Saturday 13th August, 5lb 2oz and 3lb 13oz
Owlbooty - With son Robin born 18th August 8lb 13oz
PrettyVacant - baby girl born Tuesday 23rd August
OrangeGloss ? with son, Huw born Thursday 1st September
Wombat - baby born Sunday 11th September
Emoo - baby girl born 13 September
PinkFondantFancy - with daughter Persephone Amelia, born 16 September
ALovelyBunchofCoconuts - with son Thomas James, born 22nd September 8lb 12 oz
MamaPower - with daughter, born 24th September
Daisybell - with daughter Philippa Alice, born 26th September

In our thoughts and prayers:
Louise with daughter Georgie born asleep on 10th October
Dachs with her babies Alexander and Felicia who left the world asleep on 21st May
Magic8ballhastheanswers who leaves behind her beautiful little girl, spiderbabies and DH. Blessed are those of us that had the privilege of knowing you.

We share the pain and and mourn the loss with:
Jollster, Cheepz, BarrenBrook, MsJL, LadyBee, Banana87, BatteryHen, HairyTriangle and Waterplate

Collie ignore, ignore, ignore your SIL! And if you DH is wavering stand firm. It is you who is going to have to push the baby out so ultimately it is your decision! A home birth is a perfectly reasonable option, your midwife will look after you and if anything goes wrong, you can go to hospital. I was planning one last time but only didn't get it because I didn't go into labour after waters went so had to be induced. It was really lovely being able to have the midwife come to my home and it would have been great had it worked out.

collie we had our CMW visit last week to discuss the why's and wherefore's of Home Birth. DH was originally sceptical, but the midwives were brilliant. They explained the reasons that would prevent me from having a home birth, and also explained those reasons that would result in me being admitted in a hurry, having gone down the HB route. They were clear that for me, a hospital-phobe, a HB was a good idea and they were truly supportive. They answered all my questions and DH's and made it much easier for us to feel happy in our decision. The other good thing, is that were I to be admitted in a hurry the MW who had been with me at home would come with me in the ambulance and stay with me in the ward, so better continuity of care. I really hope your CMW visit is good next week. Will share pool info with you via pm.

to everyone else, sorry for rubbish catch up - work is mental at the moment, and I'm struggling bcs still don't have my iron from the GP.....

collie I would be peeved too. I think negative reactions from family and friends are v v common as my IM said lots of people choose to just say they're having the baby at [hospital name] and just tell people about the home birth afterwards. Also saves on 'told you so' if you end up transferring in. I got lots of faces when I told people I wad considering HB, although no active saboutage like your SIL :(

bigmac hehe you're welcome to keep Steve-he wasn't invited here!!! On NCT meet ups, we had a few evening classes and one all day class. I emailed the group to see if they fancied drinks/food after the all day class.

Sorry for selected catch up by the way, only skimmed the thread...

Ladies, how am I supposed to get through my remaining 16.75 days at work when it's this quiet on here? :)

Thanks for the NCT tip pink. On reflection, I am happy to share Steve...

I'm a bit embarassed after last night's breastfeeding class. Near the end of the session, the lady showed a video from the 80s of a newborn moving itself into position through loads of different reflexes to feed from her mum. Anyway as I can't watch anything to do with any kind of baby (human/ape/rhino) being born without blubbing like a fool I was away... one of the other women got me a tissue and everyone was very nice but I am mortified

what if everyone hates me now and doesn't want to be my friend?

I'm here, and bored too! Got 14 days left in the office, a few others working from home...so I know how you feel Bigmac but I keep getting given more to do so am practising saying no!!

How are the iron tabs going? I get mine from the GP this am, and am booking my flu jab too.

In other news, we finally ordered a buggy thing, we've gone for the Quinny Buzz with three wheels bcs we live in the middle of nowhere, and bcs some good friends are lending us the matching carry cot and car seat base.

pink sorry to hear that Steve put in an appearance after DD...just not fair!
I woke up on Sat to find myself not only visited by Steve, but his entire sodding family. I had a laparoscopy last year and the marks seem to be all the way around my scar, which has also grown and got redder....eeuuugggghhhh.

Tea and toast all round, isn't it such a miserable day...

thank god you're here blackkat :) I'm in a similar position where I have loads to do but no drive to do it. Must sort that out... a bit

Iron tablets are not going too badly. Only started on Sunday and haven't felt poorly (and am still going to the loo) but I've upped my apricots, water and fruit juice intake as well so maybe that is helping. Can't believe it took so long for the doc to sort that out for you.

Rubbish about Steve - it's weird how they just appear isn't it? I am now starting to resemble an A-Z.

We need to order our pram. I've been holding off until after this weekend as it's 2 days delivery turnaround and we're having a party at our house during the day on Saturday (why we thought this was a good idea a couple of months ago I really don't know) to say hiya to all our mates who we won't see for a while. Brilliant that you've got mates who can lend you the bits. Someone gave us a carseat (vgc) and we got a 2nd hand carry cot (again vgc) so I feel a bit smug about that money saving which is why i felt it was ok to book a pedicure. hmmmm.

Hellooooo!!! I had iron tabs earlier this year and they made me feel so much better and didn't cause any nasty side effects, apricots will help anyway bcs they are fibrous and full or iron I think too

Can your pram seller not hang onto it for you? Ours will be in store next week but they are keeping it for us until the 21st November and later if we want, I don't want it lurking about the house for the cat to get too used to.

I look like a steep hill on an O/S map...not attractive

We've got friends over this wknd too, for the same reasons, already concerning myself about how little cleaning I can get away with before they come!

I?m here but frantically busy! There is no mat cover arranged here (I?ve still not told you my nobhead boss story) so trying to tie things up is proving impossible. I did spend the day stripping the wallpaper in the spare room/nursery work from home yesterday though! ?..left all my work in the car which DH took and obviously had nothing else to be getting on with!

Steve the stretch mark is still staying within the boundaries of thigh and lovehandles here, although his entire family have also camped out there. Thankfully I can?t really see around there so I?m just pretending I?ve not got any. My belly still looks like a A-Z though with all the veins popping through! Yuk!

bigmac I can?t believe the turnaround for your pram is 2 days!!!! We ordered ours in JULY and its still not arrived it store ? expected date 12/09 so its late!!!! Lets hope its not setting the precedence!

pink at 3am this morning I was reading you post in the childbirth threads asking for opinions on hb, it was very helpful. I?ve also ordered the book you have suggested. My mw ran last nights ante natal class instead of the usual person so I mentioned DH and I meeting to chat about hb and we ended up doing it there and then. Which wasn?t great as we weren?t prepared and were not armed with questions so we really just got the generic reassurances that DH already knows so it really didn?t help. I felt so frustrated with it all last night as I am more and more resolved that this is the right thing, but desperately need dh to be convinced it?s the best thing too, and hes not and I can?t change that. he?s happy to go ahead, but I feel its unfair doing something he is still so fearful about. So around and around in circles we go. And of course everytime we talk about the risks, I wibble, because there is a risk, and I feel like a terrible mother for taking that risk. Even though I also know that there are risks in hospital and that the whole point of a hb is to help avoid those risks in the first place!

I couldn?t sleep last night thinking about it (hence the 3am mn surfing) so have sent DH lots of links to various mn threads on homebirth and some good websites. A colleague of mine also has a hb for dads book which she has offered to lend me but I won?t see here for another 3 weeks.

Hows velvet?

Hiya collie, at our antenatal class this weekend, the MW assured us that there was no higher risk at all for women having a hb. They wouldn't let you do it if you had any complications at all and in fact you have 2 MWs with you who will be monitoring you more closely than they would be in hospital. The MW told us that in practice this means that they are watching you like a hawk and can anticipate what's coming from your body language, sounds (?!) and movements. If anything were to go pearshaped, you'd be in hospital faster than you can say 'oof my fanjo'. You are not a terrible mother at all but you are having to make a difficult decision and it's harder because DH is fearful. However, he will have more support at home than he would at hospital and, if the bumpf is to be believed, will see you being a happier collie through the experience. Maybe he wants you to make the decision?

If I wasn't so vain about our new carpets, so lazy about organising a birthing pool for home and so annoyed that one won't fit in our living room in front of the telly I'd be going for it too based on what they said.

Round my way they have separate hb workshops - anything like that where you are? Sorry if I sound preachy by the way - I know you know all this.

You have veiny belly, I have veiny boobs. Good heavens. One good thing is for the first time in my adult life, I love my belly, even with steves

blackkat do you know, brian means that I hadn't even thought to ask if they could hold it for longer. duh. Like you I will also be trying to do minimal cleaning.

Love the steep hill on an OS map comment... we must all remember Shirley Valentine - our Steve's are a badge of honour that deserve to be adored!

collie I had the same thing for weeks, driving myself mad with all the 'what-ifs'. I too did the whole if something bad happens, I'll never forgive myself because I'll have been a terrible mother and put myself ahead of the baby's safety. However, in the end I got comfortable that there's very little that can go wrong at home that would be treated differently at home compared to at hospital. Hope that helps a bit.

V excited for everyone approaching the end of work! It does go slowly though doesn't it, when you've jest got that handful of days left and you just can't get the motivation up...

Hi ladies-nice to see some activity in here today. bigmac im exactly the same with regard to blubbing at birth stuff. Ended up watching allsorts of stuff on iplayer last night including a show called midwives on the scottish channel alma! Cue lots of blubbing in bed whilst dh was asleep-last night was a new record for me in the sleep depriv stakes. I had a truly shite day complete with lack of bub movement & blood in my pants which scared the life out of me. Bub eventually moved and looks like the blood is from my sore constipated butt (tmi), but i could have done without the fear and stress.

Anyway, today isnt much better-i ended up having a massive row with my dick boss and took a half day leave so i could come home and rest cos the stress was getting to me. So, getting my head out my own arse now...i can only imagine how you ladies that are further on are feeling in terms of lack of motivation at work and eagerness for the end.

collie sorry u didnt get the reassurances you wanted re hb. Does dh think the 1st hosp is the right option then? Could you do a bit of a swot type analysis of both options so that you could both write down your fears and pros/cons for each option? (sorry if thats a silly idea!)

Sorry not been on for ages-trying to catch up but keep forgetting what I've read!

collie your lift story sounds awful and would definitely have put me off the hospital. What idiots! I think hb sounds great. Not for me as I have to have IV antibiotics so presume I would need to go to hospital. Plus I'm a bit of a wuss with pain and figure an epidural may be on the list somewhere at some point. Am hoping to stay at home as ling as poss though. DP gets sent home overnight if you're not on the delivery ward and I'd hate to be on my own. DP's friend missed his son's birth for that very reason. I think if hb is right for you it's a lovely thing to do and probably loads less stressful at the time.

blackkat we went for the quinny buzz 3 too. No kind friends unfortunatley but we did get a really good deal on all 3 bits at a nursery place near us. We don't get it till the end of Oct which is fine for me-the dining room is full of nursery boxes at the moment which I've shut the door on as it's freaking me out slightly.

We went to our NHS parent class on Monday. Didn't really learn anything I didn't know already from the chat on here. I think DP did though! He did look a bit worried in parts. I think the fact that the birth may be fine but the placenta stage not go so well and i still end up in theatre was the bit that really bothered him. He just assumed once the baby's out everything is done with and everyone's safe.

I've' been off work now for two days and not going back till Monday. I'm full of cold and can hardly breath-even going upstairs to the loo is a hassle. I hate feeling so unfit and rubbish and also feel guilty about being off again when I was off for 2 days a couple of weeks ago. Feel a bit pathetic! It's parent's evening next week and I'm sure I'll get some snotty comments from some of the parents- hopefully this will be it until I actually leave now.

No sign of Steve yet thank god but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. His family made many an appearance on my thighs during puberty!

Sorry for poor namechecking but if I try to look back I'll lose what I've written!

Just popping in to say hello, I?m 20 weeks today YAY for me!

Starting to get a little excited about it all, then have a little wibble and have to go hide in the corner at the whole still halfway to go part of it.

Question for you ladies ? when did you start to get proper movements? No way I can tell difference between gas and butterflies/bubbles .

collie your hospital stories sound awful so can see why you want to go for a hb, hope your dh can get the reassurance he needs, sometimes men just need a bit more time to adjust.......
I don?t have a choice ? high risk so will be in delivery suite ? so not even looking at the other alternatives as they will get me all jealous

Minnie poor you with a cold, i had one a few weeks ago and it was hideous at only 18 weeks so really feel for you.

bigmac I?m getting quite teary now when I watch baby things so can only see it getting worse,

Oh doo poor you, that must have been awful. Glad (ifkwim) that it's bum blood, rather than something more sinister but I really feel for you

Brilliant news about reaching 20 weeks stitch! I felt weird flipper/bubbly things from 17 weeks but then started to feel occasional doofs from about 23 weeks (Mr B couldn't feel anything though) which picked up after then into full on fanjo/arsehole kicks :) . While it's a good idea to get an idea of any patterns, you don't need to worry about monitoring these until 28 weeks as they can be fairly erratic

minnie worry not about work, you have to take care of yourself and I hope you feel much better soon