Fantastic 40+ Mums To Be

[10000fireflies]

A lovely shiney new thread for us to keep chatting on.

Very much so but luckily dh is very hands on and does a lot with them including works 4 days and has a fri off with them. Though that will change soon with me off on mat leave. Unfortunately the kids really have started to fight over the same toys and so the noise level in the house is far too loud. Wouldn't mind normally but can be quite wearing when they are both in full swing! At least I have a date for knowing when we can expect the next one! Last times it was unpredictable and was in latent phase of labour for far too long!

Not that I am looking forward to after effects of c section as tend to be sore for a few days after. Still looking forward to meeting no 3!!!!

Hello everyone, how wonderful to find so many lovely 40+ mums-to-be in one place! I will have just turned 43 when DS (number 1) makes his way into the world in early September. All is going well, despite the MW being continually 'surprised' at that being the case! Otherwise I have to say most people don't turn a hair - it's been family who have not exactly been supportive, including the assumption that DS isn't planned, as we obviously didn't realise that I was still capable of reproducing! Argh! Oh, and the obstetrician is insisting on induction... any thoughts on that would be really welcome!

Hi I had to get induced during labour first time round due to developing high bp and meconium in amniotic fluid (also had art) but I insisted on epidural - didn't feel a thing despite dh saying my stomach was contracting all over the place. Blissfully slept through it with epidural but I ended up with emergency c anyway so not sure how it would have affected pushing baby out!

Hello ladies, lovely reading other posts of the 40+. Feeling sorry for myself with fat cankles and piles. And where do people get off exclaming your huge, it must be twins/ quads etc including some very fat men! Still finding it hard to believe this is actually happening and is real after so long.

43, 27+4 due 2nd october

Oh dear, dh got sickness and diarrhoea! Hope he does not pass it on.

Exexe, I must confess I haven't done either of my DVDs yet - keep saying to myself I'll have a go tomorrow but either I don't feel up to it, or something more "important" comes up! I do plan to start, perhaps when I get back from holiday at the beginning of August, as I've got a lot on between now and when we go. I've got the Davina one as well, and Suzanne Bowen's Pregnancy Workout Lean & Toned. Pelvic floor wise, I fear it may be a lost cause already!

Hi Tazmo, how exciting! I shall be thinking of you on 19th July when we're driving through Germany, let us know how everything goes! And I hope your DH doesn't pass his lurgy on, and feels better today. Welcome Brizzmus & firstbubba!
Got my first consultant appt today - hope she will listen to my concerns and let me have the delivery I would like, i.e. ELCS. Bit worried as I'm so hormonal (burst into tears yesterday when DP started talking about swapping the bedrooms around to accommodate new baby/DS's copious amounts of Lego!), and I fear I won't argue my case well and will just be a pouty snotty mess. Oh well...

Lots of tears and snot is the way to go. Just nod to say you understand the risks. They will take one look at you and think if this is what she is like at a consultants appointment, how will she be in labour? Good luck x I was granted an ELCS and it was so very wonderful after my first traumatic birth x I will have the same this time please!

Thanks for the advice Valium! Looks like my fragile emotional state may work in my favour then!

It will, so stay anxious!!! Guidance has changed recently anyway - mums to be have much more of a say in things these days. Your age will work in your favour too as they will not be keen to let you go over dates, and will not induce if you have had a previous section. I cannot recall your birth story, sorry.

I need to try to find the floor of the room that will be the nursery over the next few weeks. We have done all the swapping around, but the room is full of tat and baby stuff. There will be a few trips to tip and charity shop in my near future.

Pram being delivered today. Woo hoo!

hello everyone, Im back.

Thank you tazmo, that sounds like a bit of a scary reason... though it seems everything went well in the end, which is great news. And firstbubba, I so sympathise on the cankles - I really want my legs back! Oh, and for the breakdancing leprachaun I seem to be carrying to calm down every so often... I hear a lot of live music in my job and he goes berserk. I can't decide if this means he loves it or hates it!

Welcome back whatname. How are you?

My pram got delivered today, and I am very happy with it. Built like it will last forever, and currently have a very happy 2yo, and a slightly squished 6yo in it. Need to pump the tyres up, and the raincover did not come, so cannot take it out yet, but very pleased indeed. Such a relief to have it here. Need to find a lightweight one to sling in the car now...

hello and welcome to new oldies Brizzmus my baby kicks a lot too and I just love it :) Mine goes crazy when the mw listens to the heartbeat - obviously likes / hates the ultrasound.... oh, and when I'm trying to sleep of course. I had one weird left cankle last week and felt like a freak! Luckily it's vanished now.

Tasmo - Love the fact that you got pg naturally after icsi - hopefully it will happen for me too! I bet you were amazed

Odd thing to say, but I'm really loving the rain today, although it's become obvious that I need a new raincoat that will go over bump

Hello lovely old folk and a big wave and welcome to the new old folk.

Knotty I am with VQ ask nicely and if that fails start blubbing. My DH asked if I could have a ELCS at my first consultants appointment as I have such a traumatic first birth (I hadn't even considered it). They didn't bat an eyelid and said of course I could. Not so much as a fight. I don't think I want one but I am keeping it as a special back up weapon if this pregnancy gets complicated. If I develop PE or need an early induction again then I would seriously consider it - I think it is a very good plan B. I want a water birth at home they laughed at me last time I asked for this the bastards, I know the reality will be somewhat different with my track record.

Firstbubba just the word cankles makes me shudder. Mine have not appeared yet but it is only a matter of time. With DC1 I had cankles like an elephant and could only wear Birkenstocks. I have reoccurring dreams that my feet turned into pigs trotters. This was not actually far from the truth. And they hurt. So far I have only had the tingle but they haven't actually got cankle like yet - all that is to come. But don't even get me started on the piles.

Bytheseaside My raincoat still does up...Just. I am far too tight to buy a new one I think - I can't remember what I did for a coat last time. I may fashion one out of a bin liner when this one starts popping butons.

Brizzmus I was induced with DD1. To be honest the induction itself wasn't that bad but next time if I needed the drip I think i would ask for an epidural straight away. I had back to back labour and a hard and fast early induction and the epidural at 8cm's made me think why the hell didn't I get that earlier. If I have to have interventions anyway then I will go the full hog I think....

The baby is having a quiet time at the moment - wish it would buck up - I prefer it when I get the living daylights kicked out of me - I fret less. I have the 24 week scan this week to check the movement or not of the Amniotic band and if I have any signs of the dreaded PE and restricted growth. Can't come soon enough - I have done very well trying to remain positive but it is wearing thin and I need some reassurance. I would like to also discuss the possibility of being transferred to the midwife led unit but fully expect them to tell me no to piss off. And you all seem very organised compared to me - this poor baby is going to be raised my wolves at this rate.

Welcome back Whats hows tricks? Lovely to see lots of new people joining. The usual suspects seem a big quiet the last few days LRM are you ok? Fjord I know has been busy celebrating her DH's birthday so otherwise engaged. HB, Ex????

Big wave to everyone and best go and do some bloody work....

Midget, you have indeed done well so far, hope the scan this week will give you some peace of mind.
Thanks for all the advice - appt went OK. Heard the baby's heartbeat which was lovely, and she wants me to get retested this week at GPs for thyroid as she thinks the meds ought to be increased. Due to my age and thyroid problems, I'll get 2 extra scans at 28 wks and 34 wks. I asked about the ELCS and as expected I got the usual stuff about the risks etc. (which I do know are real risks!), but I started talking about my nightmares I've had, the stress I feel about this pregnancy, my previous traumatic labour with DS and my friend's baby who died and blubbed all over the place as I feared. She was very sweet and just said it's early at 15 wks to make these decisions, that the consultant would have to OK it (she was an SHO), but ultimately it was my choice and I wouldn't be pushed into anything I didn't want.

Hope everyone's feeling OK this evening x

Knotty Good on you - that was pretty much the reaction I got too - they would rather I didn't have one but I can if I like. I am totally traumatised now as to what I should do. All these bloody decisions eh? I would rather go for a normal birth but can't face the thought of having to stay in as long as I did last time (2 fecking weeks) and a CS seems somehow neat, easy and less dangerous to the baby than another early induction which could end in a EMCS which I am terrified of. Blimey o'reily they dont answer these question on OBEM do they?

I think 15 weeks is exactly the time to make such a decision. That way you can get peace of mind and enjoy your pregnancy! My ELCS went a long way to healing the scars of my first birth experience. I still felt a bit of a failure, but was home sooner, healed quicker, bonded better, and enjoyed my pregnancy once I knew what was happening. I am having DC3 so that must say something.

Thanks everyone ! I think I'll bring it up again at the next appt (follow up to 20 wk scan in August). Hope everyone's feeling OK today. I had a productive day - housework, made some little chicken patties and a sweet & sour sauce to have with noodles & veg for tea but I still needed my nana nap at lunchtime. Conked out completely for an hour and woke up feeling very groggy. Could be thyroid related I guess, I was expecting to feel a bit more with it by 15 weeks but maybe not!

Hello everyone, and welcome to the new joiners!

This week is big appointment week - got a 2hr joint consultant appt on Friday (no idea how we will fill 2 hours, but hope I get a comfy chair) then on Saturday I get 12 week scan (and I will be exactly 12 weeks on that day!). Bit anxious about it all as kind of used to not knowing if everything is ok and also haven't really computed that there is something in there.

On top of that DP, leaves for a work trip abroad the following day so will be on my own when I get the results (having said that he is only around at weekends anyway so am pretty much used to being on my own but abroad is a bit more than I'm used to)

Nausea doesn't seem quite so bad, but have had some really shocking displays of temper (at work and also at home when DP is around ) - I'm sure we can partially blame hormones, but let's also throw in tiredness, worry, nausea, feeling isolated and so on and it's no wonder I go a bit nuts sometimes. On the other hand, I do get peace and quiet when I come home, which I know the majority of you don't get (so am quite lucky in that respect!)

Now I just need to remember to be nice to the doctors on Friday, even if they tell me things I don't want to hear...

It's really interesting hearing all the opinions/experience re birth choices - I'm veering between homebirth and high tech/pain relief/intervention, depending on how happy/confident I'm feeling about everything.

Whatname - great to see you back - I hope all is well with you
Midgetm - made me think when you mentioned OBEM - used to watch that without flinching (pre pregnancy), and now I just turn over quickly if I see it on the telly - funny that, eh?

Hope everyone has a lovely restful evening

Checking in to say Hi :) before catching up on all your posts...

Welcome Sesqui, tazmo, Brizzmus and firstbubba :)

Hpbp - back in Paris - can I be jealous? Or are you there all the time and I've lost track? I know how you feel "I don't seem to be able to do anything else than roll out of bed, walk DS1 to playground, cook lunch and tea, and sleep. I salute all of you who can still go to the gym and/or work." - describes how I feel exactly (except replace the 'walk DS1 to playground' with a little shopping or housework!).

Still, I've been officially informed by midwife yesterday that, at 25 weeks, I have the bump of a 36-weeker. So concerned is she (although it's probably just my fibroids having got ginormous) that I'm getting another scan in the next week or 2 (hoorah!) :).

Enjoying feeling and watching the baby have a writhe around every night. She's very cute; responds with a kick to her Dad's voice, kids voices/laughter and comes to kick our hands/fingers if we rub them near where her feet are :). She's starting to feel very 'real' and 'present' - also heavy so I feel like I'm carrying her around with me already! She also kicks a lot in the supermarket for some reason so I'm often caught by trolley pushers standing there, rubbing my belly with a stupid grin on my face! :)

Midget! Can't believe I missed your birthday! A very happy belated birthday to you! Thoroughly approve of your choice of treats :). What day's your scan? Will be thinking of you and hoping all is ok, especially with that stupid band thingie! (Btw, have been in the Birkenstocks only since about week 21 ).

Would also like to weigh in against mat clothes! Am also still in stretchy/loose fit regular stuff, despite having the bump of a 36-weeker. Bought one mat top (empire line) that cuts through my boobs and has a baggy empty lump of fabric at the top of my bump. Not 'buying' the whole 'mat clothes are better' thing. Sticking with stretchy/ruched side tops and M&S wide fit stretch waist trousers, loose dresses and will add in some H&M maternity leggings and jeggings soon as I hear good things about those.

Re pelvic floor - am already having slight problems . Will it help to start them now or am I doomed?

Re OBEM: watched 2 programmes called 'Birth Story' (American) yesterday and bawled through the latter half of both. Not affected by the ELCS/birth (which usually tends to weirdly put me at my ease about the whole thing) but just so bloody moved by the connection/experience of the parents. I'm going to be a mess at mine! again.

Hope I've not missed anyone's ground-breaking news and will endeavour to be back on track with regular posting as I missed you all! :)

Good to see you back fjord I was beginning to worry about you. A bump of a 36 weeker wow. Perhaps it is excess fluid, or really triplets, but two were hiding, or is it just cake?

Hi Valium :)

I actually did suggest to my midwife that I had, in fact, eaten all the pies but to be fair, my 'fat' is at the sides and my bump sticks 'out' about a foot and is firm all over. She measured the 'height' when I was lying flat, over the middle so in theory, fat 'falls' to the sides. She said it wasn't fat but there was a possibility of lots of retained water/gas . However, she said she wanted a scan and wasn't happy to just assume it was that. She said she has lots of overweight mums through there and had rarely ever had a bump so off the chart for the dates . Actually I feel 'a little bit special' . Mostly just focusing on getting an extra scan and seeing my LO :). Worse case scenario I'll have humungous fibroids and the gyno will say an ELCS is unavoidable/best way forward. What will be will be I guess. Can you imagine if they find another baby(ies) after 3 previous scans! I'm figuring the odds are low but would be a mahoosive shock!

Congrats on what sounds like a great pram buy btw! :)

Agh have hit the 14 stone barrier - nightmare! How can I shift it????? Never got that heavy with the other two. The baby is officially an elephant!!!!! Three days left of work. Counting down the minutes. Really feel like I have sore under ribs tonight there is so much strain! Baby is also stretching so much - it has no room to move so it's tryin to go round my back!

Hope everyone is well!

LRM/anyone else apprehensive about labour - just found out about this site/resource today & think it's well worth investigating/supporting. Also any mums with positive birth stories get involved! tellmeagoodbirthstory.com/ www.facebook.com/Tellmeagoodbirthstory
Am in no way involved with this site, just think its a brilliant brilliant resource and a fab antidote to all the horror stories we get told.