Due in Oct 2012 - part 4!

[Angelico]

Back for more...!

great news Zoe. So glad I am holiday as meaning I am not counting down the minutes to mine. Seems like ages away yet.

fjord sorry the teens are kicking off. I am sure the odd wine would help.

Well I have spent the day Laying by the pool and eating ice cream. May have a cheeky Rioja to round the day off nicely. I bloody love holidays.

Zoe yay for a fab scan!! And what a lovely way to find out the flavour of the baby Do update us with pink or blue

Haggis My skin is awful everywhere. Despite using bio-oil, my legs are super dry all the time and I've got spots on my face and elsewhere besides I've just bought a little Liz Earle skincare set to try in the hope it helps!

Yesterday, at the end of literally the tiredest day I have felt during my whole pregnancy, i finally felt baby move!! :) Actually, i think I have felt baby before, but this time it went on for so long i knew for sure it wasn't windy-pops! To me it felt like a twictchy sensation, like if you get an eye twitch, but in your lower belly. It's too faint to feel in standing, but i felt it again just now (i am reclining on the bed). On the tiredness front, as a half on my tummy-half on my side sleeper, i am not too worried about too much left side lying sleeping time - right and left are both good. Sleep for mummy is good for baby :)

MickeyTheShortOne, H&M do mat leggings for £7.95 - the sizes seem quite big - i got a medium in mat leggings and i wouldn't normally manage to squeeze myself into one of ther size 16 normal range.

Zoeplankton, i like your style :)

LondonLivvy, good luck with your scan and the flat sales!

milk, congratulations on getting that assignment handed in, I bet that feels good!

Zoe, yay, great news - I didn't realise being given the result in an anvelope was an option - quite like that idea! Did you have to ask for that?

Haggis, thank you, yes, I do feel better - very snotty but breathing much better. I hope your kitchen gets done as quickly as it can - keep holding onto the fact that it will be great to have a brand new kitchen!

Bean now going crazy on a regular basis, so much change in a week, from hardly feeling it to "blimey bean, settle down!". DH was playing guitar and singing Foo Fighters songs yesterday and I think bean was either air-guitaring or headbanging, lol.

To all those with crazy skin - I still really rate Dr Hauschka stuff, it has really settled my skin down and it is so nice to use.

Well, my good news is that I have now proof read all 30 reports and handed them in. The bad news is that my motorbike trousers really do no longer fit so Friday is my last day on 2 wheels :(. Then it's the hell of being stuck in traffic for the rest of the term. Ah well. And also, my bump has grown enormously today, but I think it's probably wind. It seems to grow in stages, it looked big for 16 weeks but hasn't really changed since then, until today. Today it is terrifyingly huge.

We have doula number 2 visiting us tonight - hope she actually shows up! - then we have our 20 week scan on Monday. It all seems to be moving so fast at the moment!

Yomping, 37 now (it's a prime number and I hate it!) 19+5, dc1.

Blimey, labour lasting 8 minutes?!?! I thought two hours was quick!!!

Thanks Beccus I shall have a look.
Well the boy is back finally from working away, hooray! Getting a curry to treat ourselves and the dog and i am going to devour some bombay potatoes, mmmmmmmmmmm speaking of mmmmmmmmmm, has anyone seen the new burger king/mcdonalds advert? It makes me laugh so much, hahahahaha :o

Londonmrss Yes I was surprised how early I felt it, but then my cousin felt hers at 13 weeks so I wasn't entirely suprised... Another (yet another) cousin felt the first movements at 15 weeks with her first but with the second not until 20 weeks, so don't be disheartened!!

I am really umming and ahhing about finding out the sex. I think we may just leave it until the day and if the baby sits there with its legs open (like its mother ) we're obviously meant to know, and if it has its legs closed then we'll leave it a surprise.. :) I still have to wait another month for our 20 week scan though, boring!

And, SHOCK HORROR. I had a mars bar today for the first time in about 10 years. I hate them. But pregnancy hormones tell me I would really like one and so I should waste my money and buy one so baby can eat it.. and you know what? F*in' ROCKING. It was so good! :o

Glad to see you are all well. Well done on the assignment Milk.
Lots of love and hugs!

20, 15 weeks tomorrow, #1.

Well the cervix scan is done and saw (very briefly, in passing) that pepe is still there and is fine. They hadn?t warned me that it was an internal scan, so I needn?t have bothered with the busting bladder yet again! Results-wise, I?ll have to wait to see what the consultant says tomorrow, but the measurement (4cm) sounds good to a home/google expert. (oh dear ? all these self-diagnosis people ? consultants must hate us!).

Zoe so glad for your happy scan news. That?s fab. Love the idea of the envelope with the results ? nicer to find it out between you two privately!

Oh Midget I am so jealous of your hols! Have an icecream for us!

Fjord sigh re troublesome teens.

Haggis and Loopy I know the feeling re spotty skin ? it?s not ideal is it?

Beccus and Yomping hurrah for feeling the bean ? that?s ACE. And Yomping, good luck with this doula.

Mickey chuckling about the mars bar. I don?t normally eat crisps or Macdonalds but have craved both loads over the last 6 weeks. Ooops.

Zoe, btw I had a CIN op a few years ago (hence the cervix scan) so hoping yours all good too.

Consultant said all good and no need for stitch. Yay and phew. Heard pepe's heartbeat v briefly too (about 2 secs) which was cool.

I also learnt that all these dizzy spells I've been having are due to low blood pressure and it's another one of those pregnancy things. Apparently dehydration is one of the aggravating factors, so drinking more water at breakfast will help with morning episodes.

Next stop 20 week scan on 18 June!

Scan day!!!!!!!!

Good Luck Milk!

Somebody needs to slap me.

I wish I was joking - I'm not. We took the 'gender' envelope out to dinner, opened it. It's a boy.

I didn't realise quite how much and how deeply I was banking on a girl.

I have always held that 'you take what you're given', that anyone - ANYONE - who feels disappointed by a healthy baby needs a stern talking to and a tour of a special needs classroom. And yet here I am, a healthy boy in my belly, in tears.

Neither DH's family nor mine does 'robust'. We don't do 'sporty', we do 'freakishly thin' and 'pallid' and 'sensitive' and 'too damn clever for our own good'.

Poor little boy, poor little boy, the world out there is going to kill you.

We're hoping the kid will be normal, but we're realists, so we know he's is likely to be smart. It's OK for girls. A precocious girl can pass if she's funny, a precocious boy, Jesus no. A precocious boy is lunchmeat.

I drove past a Primary school this morning. Six year old girls running and skipping and chatting and wearing their extravagant patterned raincoats, six year old boys already learning to tamp it down - trotting along with Dad, staring at the ground, grim little jackets.

So there's me last night, in a fancy restaurant, holding this piece of paper, and what do I think to myself?

'Better luck next time'.

What a terrible thing to think of an unborn child. I'm so ashamed. Poor, poor boy.

Zoeplankton A boy congratulations :)

I am the complete opposite to you. I really want a boy, as I think boys have it easy and girls are bitches to each other and I know my sensitive daughter would be bullied like crazy! Bet now I've said this out loud I am having a girl :( lol

Hi All,

So tired today - is it me or is this a really long week?
The units in our new kitchen are now all installed so we were able to start putting stuff back in the cupboards which means I almost have my dining room back. However we have to wait a week for the work top, the tiler isn't coming till Monday so the floor is all still dusty, and we don't yet have a working sink, so it's not really useable! Still can't wait for about 10 days time when it's all done...will be amazing!

Zoeplankton Great news on scan, and you never know, your little boy may not inherit the family traits. Though if he does, I'm sure you'll bring him up to be proud of them, and to be able to stand up for himself. I tend to agree with Milk though - I think girls are much more b*tchy than boys.

Milk well done for getting your uni assignment finished and lots of luck for your scan this afternoon

Midgetm very jealous that you're on holiday! Hoep you enjoyed the glass of Rioja!

LoopyLa I was looking at Liz Earle too - will be good to know how you get on with it!

Yomping thanks for Dr Hauschka tip - I'll take a look at that too

LondonLivvy glad your scan went ok and you don't need a stitch!

And hello everyone else who I've missed!

I forgot to say yesterday I had my first pregnancy brain moment on Tuesday. Drove straight past my motorway junction, despite the fact I've driven the route lots of times and I had my sat nav on telling me to "take the exit" - Not quite sure what I was day dreaming about!

Hope everyone is having a good Thursday

33, 19 & 2, DC#1

Zoe I think gender disapointment is quite normal. A much cleverer poster than me said on another thread that "You are not rejecting the baby you will have, you are grieving for the one that you won't have".

FWIW I think society is easier of smart boys than on smart girls but either way there is no way you can tell what your baby's personality is going to be yet!

And, ahem, I mean this in the nicest way possible but, you need to address your ideas on gender stereotypes.

Either way, I do think it's common to have a preference for a specific gender. I would really prefer a boy, but DH would love to have a girl.

Zoe, slap!
No not really, but I think you're wrong about boys. Being clever does not mean being precocious, and it does not mean having a target painted on his head. Well, not any more than being a clever girl is. Basically being a kid at school is hard. Your little boy will be beautiful and amazing, and gender is mostly an illusion. He is still the same little person you've been day-dreaming about and imagining and bonding with- he just happens to have a penis instead of a vagina! He will be whatever you make him! I know plenty of sensitive and clever both who just happened to grow up into the most lovely sensitive and clever men- including my husband.
I'm sure you will get over the surprise and learn to just continue bonding with this tiny person. It's totally fine to feel what you're feeling, I'm sure many people feel the same- but you're right, you should concentrate on the fact that he's healthy. Once you meet him, you won't be able to imagine that he could have been anyone else, I'm sure. I'm not speaking from experience, I'm only preggo with my first- but I really think that's what will happen.
Good luck milk
London I have low blood pressure too- just don't stand up too fast, and apparently hot baths can lower it even more. And try not to sleep on your back.
My scan is 1st June- can't wait!
Much love, everyone. x

Is anyone else suffering from a second spate of morning sickness? I am still feeling shattered but thought I'd passed the feeling green stage as I haven't been too bad for the last week or so. Yesterday I was losing my appetite again and struggling with smells. I've just nearly had to dump my basket and run in the local co-op whilst on my lunchbreak - thought I was going to spew

Zoe, the 4 cleverest boys in my Year 5 class (9 and 10 year olds) are also the coolest and most popular. The rest of the boys love them and the girls flirt with them! They are not ashamed of their brains, they are proud of their abilities (if a little cocky sometimes!) and they are great role models for the rest of the class. They are very smart but not at all precocious - in fact, the only ones in my class I would use that word to describe would be 2 of the brighter girls. The world has not made lunchmeat of these boys, they are confident and capable. They do not in any way "tamp it down" and nor have their parents tried to get them to. They are all lovely and if I have a boy and he ends up like them, I will be very proud.

I sound like I'm cross with you and I don't mean to, your post just got me emotional as it comes across really clearly that you are scared and beating yourself up about feeling scared. I want to give you a big hug and reassure you. Don't be scared, your child will be gorgeous and you will bring him up to take on challenges , to use his brain and to be proud to be himself. And don't beat yourself up, it's normal to have a preference and then to feel disappointed if that preference is not catered for. It doesn't make you a bad person.

Had my 20 week scan :) It was lovely but very long without me seeing the screen for ages :( but DH liked seeing the baby :)

I am... team blue

Fantastic news milk!!! Well done you

Oh Zoe :( I'm sorry u feel disappointed - loads of us have a preference (i'd like a girl, b/f wants a boy) and will have similar feelings, too. You don't need a slap, u need a hug. Good for u for being honest about how u feel - that is the 1st step to feeling better and to continue bonding with your healthy little bean.

You know what will cheer u up? U need to join me on my yummy mummy summer preparation-athon. After the sun came out last saturday and i had to get out my pasty cankles, i decided it was time to take action! A was completed this evening - and let me tell u, ladies, the pain threshold tolerance hormones have kicked in - it was so much less painful than usual! A massage is booked for sat to recover from missioning up to birmingham and around the baby show tomorrow, followed by a fake tan next week and a pedicure and hairdresser the week after, just in time for jubilee bank holiday parties.

We're not boozing or buying (many) clothes, so i think we deserve to treat ourselves :)

Congrats, milk!! Hope u feel better soon, Kyyria

Hi all, I loved my catchup read.

Hope you had a nice birthday Yomping - I hope to do something Saturday night to mark the event.

Zoeplankton no disrespect - I belong in your slightly bonkers club.
I wanted a girl first time. Me, I am a girly girl. All my close friends are girls. Even all my less close friends are girls. I don't care for team sports. I don't get Formula 1. I throw away the sports section of the paper. Anyway I have a 20month old little boy and the sun shines out of his bottom... honestly.

Myself, I feel slightly bonkers for a different reason, but as I read peoples' post, I thought these people will understand.
Anyway, I posted a little while back that I was having a little trouble with a colleague. He has his eye on my job (long story) and I was afraid he would get it while I was on mat leave. I had gone to my union and received reassurance that I was safe and I had decided to ignore his antics. Anyway I got annoyed yesterday at something he had done, and as I had not been to a Dr. in several weeks I asked a nurse at work to take my BP. To my shock it was 140/82. I rang my old GP and my last recorded BP was 110/70. Anyway I went to a GP in my new town that pm and while the number was 124 over something, (she wouldn't say) the advice was not to worry. NOT WORRY, as if I had an emotional filter. Don't you realise I am pregnant!!!
Anyway, this is me not worrying. I spoke with HR today who were also very helpful.
Can the logical, reasonable part of my brain have a word with the hysterical part and tell it to pipe down? Is that yoga I need?

Mickey sending you good wishes.

Nice to hear all the scan news! No other low-lying-placentas? :( I'm trying not to think about it too much. I've told a few people, but they tend to say unhelpful things like "oohh, I'd much rather have a c-section!" My boyfriend is adamant it will all be ok though. I'm sure he's right, the odds are on my side.

Zoe ... firstly I really think gender disappointment is understandable... not to mention we're all super-emotional being pregnant anyway... that said, your views on boys and girls are so opposite to mine! I'm not so secretly hoping for a boy (I didn't find out though) because, GOD, the horrendous princess-pink-passive-aspire-to-be-a-footballers-wife-and-damned-if-you-have-an-opinion views on girls in our society... I'd like to think I could bring up a girl decently and have lovely visions of a little girl in dungarees with a giant black fringe making sarky comments, but I am terrified I just won't know how to relate to what the world will try and make my poor girl into... Boys are allowed to have opinions, DO stuff, rather than sit around and look pretty. Obviously I'm not saying boys are better but bringing one up with some self-esteem sounds a hell of a lot easier. Well I'm climbing trees with mine whatever s/he is! But I admit I am scared of having a girl.

I grew up brothers, so.

I've crashed and burned tonight... busy week... work is nonstop and I can never seem to leave on time despite being a part-timer who's only rota-ed for 40 hours a week now, and I've been out every night this week... mates, yoga, pub with mates... was supposed to be going to aqua-natal tonight but got home too late for it (septic patients, heart attacks, attempting to learn to put in chest drains) and burst into tears and called myself lazy and unfit, and boyfriend hugged me and we made meatballs. And I had a glass of wine.

My friend who I am considering naming my child after if s/he is a girl is coming up tomorrow. We are going hiking this weekend. Even if it rains. And eating fish and chips. I'm shattered, but I can't wait. Just one day.

21-and-a-half-week-bump

ps. can I just say I love how honestly people speak on this forum... I am feeling really guilty for my own gender-preferences and don't dare talk about them to most people. It has been such a kind, supportive place for me. YOU GUYS ARE WONDERFUL!!

You are all cordially invited to my virtual party today, all day, for Wriggly Biff's (bean)'s 20 week birthday!

Please bring , , (sod it, why not?) or indeed all 3 if you feel like it, and please bring your favourite song to be played very loud as it's a Friday. Definitely no black tie or posh frocks, you are invited to lounge around in whatever slobby, comfortable clothes (or scrubs) you like.

Nibbles will include anything you have a craving for and topics of conversation will range from strange symptoms and number of nightly pee trips to oddest thing you have been offered, most personal question you have been asked, and best and worst things about being pregnant!

PS I'm so buggered if it's a girl. The nickname Biff started out as we read a book of names quite early on, and in there in the boys' section, among lots of posh names (apologies to anyone who likes posh names, I veer towards the plain myself) such as Hunter and Sullivan (I mean, aren't those surnames, ffs?) was Biff. Who would actually call their baby Biff? "This is my baby" "oh, cute, what's his name? "Biff!". Genius! So the bean became Biff, and was then promoted to Wriggly Biff after the scan and it is definitely living up to its name over the last week, so much so that DH actually felt it move last night when he put his hand on my bump. But so we have been calling it "he" and have totally got used to that, and will find out on Monday what it actually is. I'm a bit worried that it will be a girl and will already have developed some kind of gender dysmorphism due to nickname and use of "him" and "his"...

Right, kicking off the party (it can be for your beans too, I don't want to steal the limelight - let's have a party for all the healthy beans!)

Music: Solsbury Hill, Peter Gabriel - a mellow one to start as it's only 6:30am!
Nibbles: McCoys Cheese & Onion crisps, can't get enough at the moment
Topic of conversation: people asking for photos of me so they can see the bump (people I don't see often, that is, not work colleagues. Still a bit weird..)
Best thing Feeling the bean move, I had to wait for ages and I love being able to feel it :o
Worst thing Not being able to do so many of the things I love doing as they are not pregnancy-friendly :(

Who's joining me?

ps squid, very neat bump, how did you do that? Mine positively sprawls in comparison!

ha ha! Great idea for a virtual party! I will bring some fruit gums and gallons of milk. For music, I will put a bit of kate rusby and seth lakeman on the playlist. My topic would be asking why we are supposed to sleep on our left? Wasn't aware of that and i always sleep on my right. Best thing about being pregnant, enjoying all the planning and prep. Worst thing, feeling like a whale with no nice clothes and horrible skin.

I have had a horrible week of reports and work stress so am so glad of a couple of days with my boy. When I went back from mat leave last time, my school continued to employ my mat cover person because I went down to three days. Although we officially share the Head of Dept. Responsibilities, naturally he does more because he is full time and it is becoming more and more obvious that school see him as the HOD even though he isnt formally recognised as such. So I am permanently in a state about it, because I simply CAN'T do all the things I used to do, massive shows, rehearsals every weekend and loads in the holidays. At the same time, it is so hard to still work in the same dept I used to run having in my mind been demoted. If I could afford to, I don't think I would work at all because I find juggling it all so hard. And I am only there for 3 days! I take my hat off to the full time Mum's. Huge respect! I feel like a wimp now! In my defence,My husband works on the other side of the country so does a long long commute and isn't here to help that much.

Sorry none of that is preg related apart from the return of sickness and tiredness which may be a result of the above, ds getting up v. Early these days, or the pregnancy-not sure!

So chuffed to hear all your brilliant scan news and all those in the blue camp! Congrats! In my experience, having a boy is BRILLIANT! Though like squid if I have a girl I plan to try my best to reject the princess stereotype and let her learn to love exploring the outdoors the way me and my hubs and ds do. I did a devised piece of theatre once on gender stereotypes and all the research we did was terrifying. We filmed 8 year old boys and girls who had already formed opinions on what boys and girls 'should' do, as though they had no choice. But right from the word go, all the toys and cards push children into specific paths. Hard to fight against.

squid I am sorry if my remark about cesareans being ok annoyed you. I was just trying to share how I had felt last time when I had the same thing as you. I do remember feeling the same way last time, that peopke saying that to me annoyed me, because I was adamant that I didn't want one. But I genuinely wouldn't mind now, having gone throug the other way! My scan isn't for two weeks but I am half wondering if I will have the same thing again. At least you will get regular scans which will be re-assuring.

Love to all

age 29, 18+1 edd 18th oct