40+ mums to be

[littleredmonkey]

Hi
I am 43 and expecting my first and these next several months are going to be a challenge so hoping to meet others in the same situation.
I can believe I have a baby growing in my dusty cobweb ridden womb. It has taken me 3 weeks to get my head around the whole thing and it is still worried about the future and being able to cope. My partner is fab and great helping me with the ups and downs of baby hormones. Nothing beats hot sweats, night panics and freeze in the middle of tescos wondering our we doing the right thing. I feel better this week and got my head around things .
Any ladies who also need support or just to have a good moan every now and again. xx
Ps thinking about having a toilet built next to my bed to save time going to the loo quite a bit in the evenings!!

Yes nuchal testing varies from hospital to hospital. With my DS we were sent up to Kings, where the Harris Birthright Centre is. You got in effect what you get at the FMC but with longer waits, and less comfy waiting room. But for free.

But now in my local area nuchals are done at the local hospital, and only the nuchal fold is measured, not the other 3 markers. Bloods are taken, and you get the results in the post if low risk (maybe upto 2 weeks later), and a phone call in about 3 days if high risk.

So hpbp is absolutely spot on - what are you being offered as a matter of course bytheseaside?

Just looked at my scan notes and found out that at the dating scan in UCLH they measured not only the nuchal translucency but also the nasal bone, look at the heart and the Umbilical arteries, length of bones... and on top of these, there are the blood test results as well. It is the combination of all these that help to determine the risk. i don't know if these are what other posters refer to as 4 markers for Down's syndrom but f so, iit seems that UCLH are quite thorough here. And this is NHS.
Don't worry too much, step back a bit and just think about it. You will find out what you want to do.
Xxxx to all

thanks so much for all your great advice - I've no idea what I'd do without you all! my nhs scan would be at local hospital, not too high tech, so I think fmc might be a great plan for us.
Trying to take it one step at a time for now, I know it's such an individual thing and I haven't talked about it with DP enough yet, but I don't think we'd want to lose the baby whatever we find out - I'd just like the reassurance / knowledge from a reliable test and be able to plan for the future. It's weird to start thinking like that after not daring to think about the future for so long!
You are all brilliant :)

Hey ladies
Valiumqueen - Hope you are feeling better and have relaxed for most of the day. You need a few days of some good sleep , food and someone who can make you smile . ( I went to work today after being off and my blouse has got quite tight and to my horror I did not notice my middle button popped off and gave a quite a good view of my cleavage to a male customer this afternoon !!!)
Still no phone call from the hospital since scan/bloods 10 days ago so I can take that as a good sign ?? No letter yet either.
I was on holiday last week and have got quite a bump. Put on my work uniform this morning . OMG. I need to buy a new bra and have ordered a bigger blouse. As the store noticed I was showing I kept getting staff touching my bump today which was weird, not them touching it but it kept reminding me I am pregnant, I keep thinking I AM PREGNANT still find it weird . I am being a silly billy aren't I ?

Hello :) I was looking for this thread on the Ante-Natal boards but i found you at last!

Can i join in? I can't believe i have a bfp this afternoon - we were trying for over two years after my DS turned one and i used to frequent the conception boards especially the CBFM but gave up to be honest.

I know this is going to sound odd but i was 14dpo today - this is the first month i have used the clearblue sticks in about 6 months and i dreamt last night i was pg (it was such a lovely dream) so when in Tesco today i bought a FR two pack of tests - popped in the loo and tucked it in my pocket (i told you this would sound odd) Anyway i saw the second line halfway down the bread isle dropped my basket and fled crying to the car.

I think its sunk in now. I turned 40 in January btw and i don't know if its natural to feel pessimistic but i am trying not to. I had a missed MC 9 months before conceiving DS and i haven't forgotten it in a hurry but given my age, diabetes ect i am keeping everything crossed.

I will read back over this thread for some inspiration - 4 weeks is very early but according to mumsnet due date calculator and based on my 30 day cycle i am due on the 25th of December (DS was born two weeks early though because of the diabetes by CS so i suppose it will be the same again). I am very excited but cannot get my head around it at all - i literally did not think i was able to get pg again and here i am.

Really hoping to get to know you all - and hope i can hang around with you for another 8 months - if i am lucky enough to get to 2nd trimester i probably wont be having any tests but always have to have loads of scans as a result of my diabetes, its all a bit scarier than when i was 36 though!

LRM, you are not being silly, it is a dream that has come true... You were almost giving up the idea and just before your birthday... This is quite a present you will never forget... Is this not just wonderful ? Enjoy. All the more as you are now getting in the second trimester, right ? I hope you will get soon this letter saying you re low risk.

On an other note, I hate it when acquaintances touch my bump. I think it is very personal and it is still my private space ! Also the top of the bump is very sensitive. I think I have hurt some people's feelings when I said that I did not feel comfortable with people touching me... :( I am more the discreet and quiet type. What would/do you do ?

Seaside, I am glad you know where you stand already, it really helped me.

25 weeks today, I could actually start maternity leave today,hey ! This thought gave me strenght today.

Good night every one

Morning all

Dismal day here. Still, hoping the rain will wash away some of the cement DH spread all over the old patio whilst constructing the new!!

Welcome Dolly, Stella, Jules and Rosie. Congratulations to all! Wow Stella - amazing to beat the odds so incredibly with twin girls. Jules hope you relax as much as possible. Am sure it is difficult though with your history, but you?ve made it this far already! Rosie v funny to realise while shopping in Tescos!! All of you, you are beating the stats so far, so keep positive. Hoping that you all have a long and happy stay with us.

Exexe great news on the scan. Stupid GP dating you wrongly. Shame you don?t think your family will be more interested in your age/weight when you tell them the good news.

Midget great news on the NT results. Hope you can relax and ?enjoy? the rest of your pregnancy. Sounds like a good plan to wait and tell DCs. Think it would be different if they were older and asking questions. IMHO dopplers are nice to have and quite reassuring in the first Trimester, until you feel more confident. Good advice from Valium though about seeking medical help if you suspect there?s a problem.

Valium how are you doing? Glad you?ve taken some time off. Hope you?ve been able to focus a little more attention to your bean. How are DDs?

Seaside great news on the scan. Has the bleeding abated? Re calcs/IVF, sounds like your clinic?s way of calculating is really bizarre. Doesn?t make sense, but 4 days is not huge and there is more than enough leeway in the testing period for DS to allow for that. Think you have that sorted now? If not, please say and will try to help. We had no idea what we would do had the results come back with a problem, but we decided we would work it out once we had them. This is contrary to what all the books/websites tell you, but there you go! Don?t worry about an amnio unless you need to. Think Hpbp?s advice is good too.

Jolls congrats on reaching week 15. Every day you get a little closer?.

Fjord glad you survived the epic voyage home. How is the DH?s ex faring in the light of the news? And DSDs?

HPBP great news on your amnio. Must be great to be able to relax and enjoy watching/feeling her move around. Please don?t resign! I cannot recommend a solicitor for your work plight, but would say go to local CAB and take it from there. Harrassing pregnant women does not go down well at tribunals and your employers should know that. If they are being real shits, no wonder you don?t want to do any work!! Take it easy and look after yourself and the baby. If they hassle you at work, get written off. (see Midget?s thoughts along the same lines.) BTW, do you have to reply to boss? If so, I would make them wait and then just tell them how much you love job and don?t want to leave, you just want to know position is secure. Re unwanted bump touching. Tell people to get their hands off. Or rub them back in equally intimate places!!

LRM much respect on the three gym trips a week!! If you haven?t heard from your hospital, phone them up and keep chasing until you have verbal and written results. I phoned to get mine and they were 1000 times better (literally) than the letter stated. Silly woman read them wrong. But you must get them. The NHS is too lax and you have to keep an eye on everything. Eg, they forgot I was supposed to have my cervix checked, and when I chased them up on it, they said, ?well, you?re 28 weeks now, so it is viable anyway?. Luckily the outcome was ok for me? Yes, silly. You ARE pregnant!!

Tenner and Zibomaman thinking of you and hoping you will both be back to join us before long. Xx

MrsNesbit how are you doing? What about all you other lovely ladies?

I got most of my maternity stuff from Next sale, plus a pair of New Look mat jeans, which I have worn nearly all the time. As I was a bit tubby anyway, partly due to 2 rounds of IVF last year, I have been lucky enough to have lots of ?roomy? tops and dresses which have been proved to be very accommodating. Splashed out on one treat for self ? a Jojomamanbebe linen sundress, though not so handy with all this rain!!

Getting to feel LOs movements more now which is good. I am sure in a few weeks time I will wish I hadn?t been stressing about not feeling much. Met up with friends over weekend and did lovely walk through bluebell woods. Gorgeous. One of friends is Doula, so had really useful chat with her re placenta failures in over 40s and induction. Firstly, she gave me really useful info re observation ? that calcification can be seen on placenta and is indication of gradual failure (not immediate as consultant suggested). Also, she has read recently a peer-reviewed article that proves acupuncture towards end of term can stimulate labour. So am working on finding a practioner and will add that into my regime of raspberry leaf tea drinking. Think it will beat a sweep!! Hugs to all. xx

Ladies, I have updated the stats list. Is a bit fudgey in places as I'm having to guess some of your due dates. If you want to make any additions/amends, please feel free to copy and paste - it's not 'my' list, but I do think it's helpful to have it updated from time to time. Rosie loving your potential due date, so have highlighted.

Boggler, 43 1DS, DD due 31 Aug 2012
bytheseaside ? nearly 40, 1st pregnancy, due early Nov
Debbbie68 ? 43, DC3 due late Nov
Dollyindub ? 44, DC ?1 due end Sept
exexe- 40, DC3 due October
Fireflies-42, #1 due mid June
FjordMor - 41, -(2 DSDs with us part time; 10 & 12), first pregnancy, due 7th Oct
Firstbubba ? 43, DC1 due October
Heidipi ? 42, 1 DD, #2 due Oct
Hpbp ? 41, 1DS, #2 due end July
Horseygirl ? 41, #1 due May
Jollster - 44, Preg #7, 1DS, due early Oct.
Katie ? 40, first DC due end July
Knowlelite - 46, DC3 due ?Nov
Lisbethopposite - I am 44. DS is 19 months. #2 is due Oct 5th
Littleredmonkey ? 43, #1 due 12 Oct
Lopopo ? 41, DS1 (first DC) due 3rd Aug
Lucylookout, 40, DC2 due end July
Midget ? 40, 1DD, #2 due 27 Oct
Mrs Nesbit ? 41, 1DS, pregnancy no 8, EDD Nov
Mummypocpoc ? 44, DS3 due 26th April
OooohShiny - 40, first DC due Oct
Rosieposie ? 40, 1DS, 2nd DC due ?25th Dec???
SoSweet- 41, #1 due May
StellaYoung ? 40, 1DS, twin DDs due end May
StuckUpTheFezziwigTree-40 in June, x2DDs, DC3 due October
tigger8 ? 40, 1 adopted child, DD due end July
ValiumQueen ? 43, x2DDs, #3 due Sept
Velo ? nearly 40, preg with #1?
Wendy ? 47, ?#1 due ?Nov
York67-44 DC3 due end September

Grads
Bobblesmamma, 41, Emilie born ? 7th April
Hairy ? 44, Tillie born Jan 22 12
Shinysideup - 45, 1DD, DS1, Noah arrived 22nd March

Welcome to new ladies. Not really posted for a while as not much to report. However, had tummy bug yesterday and couldn't keep anything down. Fortunately, seem to be able to drink water today which has stayed down so all good.
I have my 16/18 week midwife appointment this week. Really hoping they will be able to find a heartbeat. So much more stressed this time around as I think this is my last chance.
lrm No new is good news.

Wow rosie what a story! Welcome to the thread.

LRM you are not silly at all.

I hate having my bump touched, even by Mum who was the worst culprit. DH and kids fine, but nobody else. I have been known to say "touch me again and I will put you on your f***g arse! I used to have a No.2 haircut, and people were forever stroking it. I used to be a Prison Nurse (officer) and one of the senior officers did this, and I told him a similar thing. Did not go down very well. A young offender was actually put on the floor by me as it is assault if someone touches you anywhere without your permission.

I wish I was due Sept, but alas it is Nov, although yet to have my bloomin scan!

Boggler, 43 1DS, DD due 31 Aug 2012
bytheseaside ? nearly 40, 1st pregnancy, due early Nov
Debbbie68 ? 43, DC3 due late Nov
Dollyindub ? 44, DC ?1 due end Sept
exexe- 40, DC3 due October
Fireflies-42, #1 due mid June
FjordMor - 41, -(2 DSDs with us part time; 10 & 12), first pregnancy, due 7th Oct
Firstbubba ? 43, DC1 due October
Heidipi ? 42, 1 DD, #2 due Oct
Hpbp ? 41, 1DS, #2 due end July
Horseygirl ? 41, #1 due May
Jollster - 44, Preg #7, 1DS, due early Oct.
Katie ? 40, first DC due end July
Knowlelite - 46, DC3 due ?Nov
Lisbethopposite - I am 44. DS is 19 months. #2 is due Oct 5th
Littleredmonkey ? 43, #1 due 12 Oct
Lopopo ? 41, DS1 (first DC) due 3rd Aug
Lucylookout, 40, DC2 due end July
Midget ? 40, 1DD, #2 due 27 Oct
Mrs Nesbit ? 41, 1DS, pregnancy no 8, EDD Nov
Mummypocpoc ? 44, DS3 due 26th April
OooohShiny - 40, first DC due Oct
Rosieposie ? 40, 1DS, 2nd DC due ?25th Dec???
SoSweet- 41, #1 due May
StellaYoung ? 40, 1DS, twin DDs due end May
StuckUpTheFezziwigTree-40 in June, x2DDs, DC3 due October
tigger8 ? 40, 1 adopted child, DD due end July
ValiumQueen ? 43, x2DDs, #3 due Nov 5th
Velo ? nearly 40, preg with #1?
Wendy ? 47, ?#1 due ?Nov
York67-44 DC3 due end September

Grads
Bobblesmamma, 41, Emilie born ? 7th April
Hairy ? 44, Tillie born Jan 22 12
Shinysideup - 45, 1DD, DS1, Noah arrived 22nd March

Checking in ladies and feeling a little better, less sorry for myself....my school friend's visit and the fact that the bleeding is now 'last day of period' blood has helped although fatigue and headaches are still the order of the day. The doc prescribed iron and a three month rest from ttc - what do those of you who've already mc'd think? I'm sticking to folic acid too.

So lovely to hear of new positive results and bumps appearing:).

Good to hear that you are on the mend zimbo. Good advice from GP re iron and folic acid. Not sure re waiting 3 months. Think recent research has found that it is ok TTC immediately once bleeding stops. I would read round on subject and if seems ok, would only wait if not emotionally up to it. I have no personal exp on matter though. Take care and come back soon! FF xx

LRM - sounds like you?ve been having a lovely time. I plan to emulate that soon! . I do relate to the feelings of disbelief at being pregnant! I?m getting to the stage where I wish I could have a scan every week to make sure it?s still there (which is silly as I haven?t had any bleeding and I feel it flipping over occasionally :)).

Thanks for all your support & thoughts everybody. The situation seems to have calmed down a bit, although it was further complicated by me having some issues with my formal immigration on Monday which have resulted in me having to receive 2nd trimester care (hopefully) technically as a visitor via my E111 card (will have to go private I guess if there?s any problem with that, and where I find the money, I?m not sure?but that?s another story). Also all tied up with importing my car this week with is super-complicated (especially now I?m not a ?citizen? as we figured I would be). DSD 2 was fine about the baby and has even been suggesting names (all of which I hate ? oops!). DSD 1 had her 2 tantrumy sessions about it but seems to have calmed down a bit now her mum knows (who was, actually, surprisingly calm about it, although VERY rude ? called DP a ?stupid fool? for ?up-duffing a foreigner?). Just hoping she doesn?t fill the girls? minds with negative ?propaganda? about the situation. DSD 1?s main problem seemed to stem from the fact that she hasn?t really discussed even having a stepmother with her friends yet (she seems rather embarrassed about it) so having to account for a baby brother/sister would complicate her life and make it ?hellish?. And yes MidgetM , it did turn out to be rather a ?teenage? over-reaction. Hopefully she?ll chill out when she realises nothing much will change for her actually.

Valium - I really think you should get signed off work for stress. You?ll only burn out and what use will you be to your clients then? You must think of the baby. I?m sorry things are continuing to be tough. I do feel for you ? I ended up with post traumatic stress after my bad period. God knows how I would have coped if I?d had kids and been working also. I learned that something has to give. Thinking of you. Please take care of yourself x

Sorry if I've missed anyone's news - just about got my head above water today and trying to read through with very tired eyes. Looking forward to a big sleepathon when I get a moment :).

Fjord I am off, but self certificated at present. I have realized I am not gonna be fixed in a couple of days, so will see Dr and get more time off.

I have been beating myself up over my inadequacy/failings as a parent, particularly how ratty I have been. I called DD2 a little shit in anger (she was being a little sod, had no idea what little shit meant being not even 2, and still loves me), and was thinking I must be doing something wrong as the kids were ill.

I am not thinking about this little bean at all. I keep forgetting to take my folic acid too.

It is DD2s 2nd birthday Saturday, and my 43rd on Sunday. Cannot get my head round planning anything - she will mostly be getting DD1s toys wrapped up - largely of the Peppa Pig variety.

It is really good to see so many names on the list

Bananna1, 42. DD16, DD14, DD11. DC4 due 21 April
Boggler, 43 1DS, DD due 31 Aug 2012
bytheseaside ? nearly 40, 1st pregnancy, due early Nov
Debbbie68 ? 43, DC3 due late Nov
Dollyindub ? 44, DC ?1 due end Sept
exexe- 40, DC3 due October
Fireflies-42, #1 due mid June
FjordMor - 41, -(2 DSDs with us part time; 10 & 12), first pregnancy, due 7th Oct
Firstbubba ? 43, DC1 due October
Heidipi ? 42, 1 DD, #2 due Oct
Hpbp ? 41, 1DS, #2 due end July
Horseygirl ? 41, #1 due May
Jollster - 44, Preg #7, 1DS, due early Oct.
Katie ? 40, first DC due end July
Knowlelite - 46, DC3 due ?Nov
Lisbethopposite - I am 44. DS is 19 months. #2 is due Oct 5th
Littleredmonkey ? 43, #1 due 12 Oct
Lopopo ? 41, DS1 (first DC) due 3rd Aug
Lucylookout, 40, DC2 due end July
Midget ? 40, 1DD, #2 due 27 Oct
Mrs Nesbit ? 41, 1DS, pregnancy no 8, EDD Nov
Mummypocpoc ? 44, DS3 due 26th April
OooohShiny - 40, first DC due Oct
Rosieposie ? 40, 1DS, 2nd DC due ?25th Dec???
SoSweet- 41, #1 due May
StellaYoung ? 40, 1DS, twin DDs due end May
StuckUpTheFezziwigTree-40 in June, x2DDs, DC3 due October
tigger8 ? 40, 1 adopted child, DD due end July
ValiumQueen ? 43, x2DDs, #3 due Nov 5th
Velo ? nearly 40, preg with #1?
Wendy ? 47, ?#1 due ?Nov
York67-44 DC3 due end September

Grads
Bobblesmamma, 41, Emilie born ? 7th April
Hairy ? 44, Tillie born Jan 22 12
Shinysideup - 45, 1DD, DS1, Noah arrived 22nd March

Although I've not contributed much (being due this Saturday I'm just kind of in a waiting game now) , I have been reading your stories with awe and amazement. You are all so strong to have gone through so much to achieve these pregnancies. I'm not sure I could have put myself through so much risk and heartache to try, try and try again. Truly inspirational women :)

I mentioned in an earlier post about being over 40 and how long they let you go over before induction. I have an appointment with the consultant on Thursday to discuss this - my option would be to have the blood-flow to the placenta monitored daily to check its function. Especially if as you say, the function reduces gradually, not immediately. And try and avoid induction as much as possible.

I wish I'd found this thread when I was first pregnant. I too am the old dear on my ante-natal thread and it's so good to hear women of my age discussing pregnancy!

Will let you know once I'm a 'Grad'!!

Can I join please too?

Had a very faint positive on 1st response last Friday (cd 20) - but cycles are usually short 23-25 days - so it was a BFP today CD25.

Am pretty terrified to be honest. Had my DS at 36, he was born very prematurely due to pre-eclampsia & HELLP syndrome - in hospital over 3 months before he finally came home on oxygen. He's now 3 and small, but doing well otherwise.

Next pregnancy was last summer, which ended in miscarriage at 6/7 weeks - was subsequently diagnosed as complete molar pregnancy. After 6 months of monitoring (thankfully avoided the dreaded chemo) I got the all-clear in February (was too terrifed to try before in case the mole reactivated & I'd need to terminate)

So here I am with my BFP. It's a high risk pregnancy in terms of the previous molar pregnancy & pre-eclampsia, so it'll be extra scans, consultant-led care & probably another section. Am just hoping I can avoid PE again (30% chance apparently) & molar (1%) chance.

lotsofcheese huge congrats on your BFP, and welcome. Wow, I really admire your strength of character to have gone through all of that. Wishing you a healthy and successful stay with us. Do you want to update your details on the stats list and post?

Waves to banana. Sorry I missed you off list. will be interested to hear more when you've seen consultant on Thurs.

Wishing everyone a peaceful night. Xx

Fireflies: you are amazing with your posts... How do you remember all this ? You must be taking notes while you read ! Thank you for keeping all this up to date.
Banana1: good luck, you will have your baby in your arms very soon now, how exciting ! Please let us know it goes with the consultant.
York67: don't worry too muchif you do not hear the HB, my MW was reluctant and did warn me beforehand, she might not find it because baby is in a weird position, it does not mean there is no HB
Zimbo: I had 2mc before DS1, I was told to wait for 1 cycle fter each mc and try again, so that the uterus has had a chance to clean itself up, somehow :) I would definitively keep on the folic acid intake. DS1 and this pg are natural, both, no drugs, just close observation of the cycle to maximise fecondation.
ValiumQueen: thanks for the tips on unwanted bump touching. I can't use your threat literally but have ideas now ! Take care of yourself. And don't feel guilty, you are not doing anything wrong with your DCs, it is a just coincidence. And you are doing now your best to get them back on healthy track, be kind to yourself. Don't worry either about birthday celebration, a cake, some candles, lots of love and cuddles, that is all they need...
Rosie, I enjoyed the discovery of your positive test. Congrats
Lotsofcheese, fingers crossed your pg will be straight forward this time

I felt really tired today since 10 am so time to sleep now... Xxx to all

Congratulations to everyone. I've been very quiet since first posted as just feeling so sick and vomiting all the time - and so so tired. I'm working only just short of full time hours and have 16 month DD2 to look after on top of this.

I've not read back everyone's story yet so apologies - I will try to soon.

I have my first consultant appointment tomorrow (9+6). That might help me with the anxiety.

I don't think they will scan me but they say the NT is booked and I'll get it at the right time.

I think I am due 17th November. Trying to up date below.

Bananna1, 42. DD16, DD14, DD11. DC4 due 21 April
Boggler, 43 1DS, DD due 31 Aug 2012
bytheseaside ? nearly 40, 1st pregnancy, due early Nov
Debbbie68 ? 43, DC3 due late Nov
Dollyindub ? 44, DC ?1 due end Sept
exexe- 40, DC3 due October
Fireflies-42, #1 due mid June
FjordMor - 41, -(2 DSDs with us part time; 10 & 12), first pregnancy, due 7th Oct
Firstbubba ? 43, DC1 due October
Heidipi ? 42, 1 DD, #2 due Oct
Hpbp ? 41, 1DS, #2 due end July
Horseygirl ? 41, #1 due May
Jollster - 44, Preg #7, 1DS, due early Oct.
Katie ? 40, first DC due end July
Knowlelite - 46, DC3 due ?Nov
Lisbethopposite - I am 44. DS is 19 months. #2 is due Oct 5th
Littleredmonkey ? 43, #1 due 12 Oct
Lopopo ? 41, DS1 (first DC) due 3rd Aug
Lucylookout, 40, DC2 due end July
Midget ? 40, 1DD, #2 due 27 Oct
Mrs Nesbit ? 41, 1DS, pregnancy no 8, EDD Nov
Mummypocpoc ? 44, DS3 due 26th April
OooohShiny - 40, first DC due Oct
Rosieposie ? 40, 1DS, 2nd DC due ?25th Dec???
SoSweet- 41, #1 due May
StellaYoung ? 40, 1DS, twin DDs due end May
StuckUpTheFezziwigTree-40 in June, x2DDs, DC3 due October
tigger8 ? 40, 1 adopted child, DD due end July
ValiumQueen ? 43, x2DDs, #3 due Nov 5th
Velo ? nearly 40, preg with #1?
Wendy ? 47, ?#1 due ?Nov
York67-44 DC3 due end September
Jules125 - 40, 1 DD, #3 due 17 Nov

Grads
Bobblesmamma, 41, Emilie born ? 7th April
Hairy ? 44, Tillie born Jan 22 12
Shinysideup - 45, 1DD, DS1, Noah arrived 22nd March

Hello everyone.
Congratulations to the newcomers.

Fireflies I agree with Hpbp - you are an amazing poster remembering everyone!

ValiumQueen Please don't feel too bad about losing it once in a while. We're all human and stress can affect us in lots of ways. I'm sure we've all shouted at our kids. I've told mine to shut up! in anger when the bickering got too much. I'm not proud of it but just saying, we all do it.

lotsofcheese you've been through a lot! lots and lots of luck to you that this pregnancy will be one that you sail through :)

I am going to have to tell people soon as I've started to look rather large of belly! At the moment cardigans are helping me out but it will start to get warmer sooner. I can't be bothered to tell work til I get that form (can't remember the name) and seeing as I don't have a midwife yet, I'm not sure when I'll get one.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Well I should be working but couldn't help but do a quick post:

Firstly welcome to our new seniors. You are more than welcome to join us. Lotsofcheese blimey youhave been through it - of course you are anxious. You have every right to be but feel free to come on here and share your worries. I have a complicated history too - a lot of us do so you are amongst people who understand.

rosie love the supermarket story.

EXEXE I suddenly can't hide it either but I am going to try for a few more weeks. I have had poor experiences in the work place as a result of pregnancy and there is a job propect coming up at work but I really want. I know if they know I am pregnant I will not stand a chance in hell of getting it but I don't think I can stretch out the truth coming out as long as I need to to apply for this. Bad timing!

Jules good luck with your appointment and hope you stop puking soon - must be exhausting.

Zimbo lovely to hear from you - take it easy it is still early days - physically and emotionally. I conceived my DD in the WTF cycle after a MC. Waiting is normally so they can date better and your cycles get regular but there is little evidence to suggest you have to. It's really up to you. However back to back pregnancies can leave you feeling drained so its all down to how you feel. Some say you are more fertile though.

Bananna1 so soon now, got everything corssed for you for a smooth and (ahem) pleasant delivery. Good luck lady x

Fireflies you have inspired me with your epic post as I was feeling too lazy to name check. My doppler arrived this mornig and I have to say I found it reassuring. Found the HB really quickly and as so early and movements tiny and infrequent I think it will find it reassuring. Will remember not to freak out though if I can't find it. Due to my history I worry anyway so I think it helps more than hinders at the moment.

Fjordmor hope all is calm on the Norweigan front and you are recovering from the physical and emotional fallout of your epic journey and family ding dongs. I am still happy to come and sort them out for you in a non violent manner.

VQ Hope you now have a doctors cert so you can relax into a bit of you time. Like others have said - we all snap at our kids. Just good mums feel bad about it. You are only human and have so much on in addition to raging hormones it is totally natural. Hope you begin to feel more like yourself again soon. I for one am a tad crazy at the moment - I snap more, I have a shorter fuse and generally more irritable. I dont like it one little bit. And I have nothing else on my plate other than hormones so cut yourself some slack. You are doing grand.

Bytheseaside hope you and Mr Bytheseaside have your heads round the tests you want. We decided to have NT although we also decided that we would not terminate becasue of downs. Its all a tricky business - as long as you agree that is the main thing.

Off to the lakes for a few days - need the break - finding work very hard to concentrate on and the bump harder to hide. Suppose I will have to bite the bullet and tell them soon. I like it being a secret though. Anyways, love to you all and hope I haven't missed anyone off. best go and do some bloody work I suppose. x

welcome rosieposey and lotsofcheese! I've found this is just the place for airing worries and having other ladies help you feel better.

midgetm - I should be working too... way too floppy to be productive today.

Fireflies - thanks from me too - you are really helping us feel like a real community :) Yes, I have lots of stretchy dresses as legacy of ivf - think they'll see me through for a bit! I bought some maternity bras this week, but find them sooo uncomfy! So I'm back in comfy old underwired ones, which I know is a bit bad. Maybe I should try sports bras - I'm just so unsporty in my regular life, I don't own one!

hbmp how are things at work this week?

valiumqueen hope time off is beginning to take effect. I like the tips on handling bump-botherers! Would be an empty threat in my case...

Fjord glad some aspects of the big news revelation have gone better than expected at least :) It's so funny how everything has the potential to be 'embarrassing' when you are that age! You are not going to able to second guess that one...

Hi to everyone else too - hope you are doing OK.

AFM bleeding continues, but not much and only brown, so I've been told not to worry, and I'm trying to hang on to that. Having read what you've all said, I'm really thinking of getting a doppler now though - what did you get midgetm? I don't really know where to start, I'd rather get a decent one than the cheapest one, if it would make a difference, but not otherwise! Don't worry, I'm pretty cautious and there's no way I'd avoid getting any real worries checked out properly, it's just for those weeks between scans where I lose all confidence that I actually have a baby in here. I think it's the legacy of the long, long journey to get pregnant. Now I am beginning to feel pregnant, (mainly because I look it! I do so love looking pregnant) but that seems separate from having a real live baby in my tummy somehow - weird.
bts xxx

I got a cheap one 'angel sounds' on eBay £22. Found HB within a couple of minutes, if that.

22 quid. ((( Ponders buying one )))

I slept for 8 hours last night - did not even get up for a wee. It was wonderful. I am still feeling really anxious but feel I am making slow progress. Spent day hiding my approved food order - dh gets a bit annoyed if he has to climb over 64 packs of cous cous to get out of bed. I love approved food. Had a bit of a shock when I saw the size of the tub of mango chutney though. Should last a year or two.