The Elderberry Helicopter #3, in which we continue to fret and play 'guess the sex'

[Boomgoestheweasel]

Open to all elderberry grads and anyone who fits the berry criteria: over 30, pregnant with #1 after trying for a loooong time, and nervous as hell. Come on in for handholding and nub theory!

You are so sexy. I hope they're the raunchy black ones..

boom no no no!!! She can't possibly stay! You'll have enough to deal with!!! Staying at sil seems like a better suggestion around anyway!

bunny there's still time...

bunny jess sorry guys! It really wasn't that long ago that we were freaking out over what the grads were saying! You'll be joining us in the world of clenching and pushchair purchasing!

merk I drove to the McDonald's drive-through a few weeks ago in my pjs. Imagine if the car broke down or something though haha

tally yes you do win an award for being the sickest pregnant berry! I definitely got off lightly!

boom you given any more thought to a naked photo shoot? I'm thinking something like this for me (2nd one down), obviously not to show anyone, just for me and Dh!

Can I just ask a) what the hell is controversial about a naked bump shoot as opposed to a naked in-bumped shoot and b) are they trying to say that a bump isn't pretty??? I'm actually offended and that doesn't happen very easily!

*un-bumped....

boom sympathy re: MIL - although if SIL only 5 mins away, surely easier all round.

What's everyone else doing re: visiting in the first weeks? Our instinct is to want at least a couple of weeks by ourselves - my folks 2hrs+ away and PIL 4 hrs. Don't think I can face having anyone staying with us in the early days, but seems hard to deprive them of a visit. Anyone else worked out a plan?

All parents and pils live 10 mins away so they'll be here on and off a lot I expect. Other than that I hadn't thought about it yet!

tally I don't think it's controversial either but that was the closest pic I could find!

poppy pil aren't a prob as they only live 25 mins away. My mum lives in Albania (very random, i know!) though so she will need to stay. Thinking maybe when Dh goes back to work but that will mean she's got to wait 2 weeks to see her first grandchild when the pil will see her loads. Think my dad will just come on the train for the day as there's a station right by the hospital anyway

kitty I think I'm going to book one! I like the top Miranda Kerr one better but no way do I want these poor scarred boobies on show so there might need to be a bit of artistic drapage. tally no idea what's controversial about preggo nudes, I love them if they're done right! Typical male reporter I should imagine..

poppy my parents live 20 mins away so they'll be around but Mum's already said we can tell her to butt out if needs be (love Momma Boom). MIL is only bone of contention but luckily Mr Boom is firmly on my side and thinks staying at SIL's is much better plan! I'm hoping neither side will expect to be at the hospital, I don't think it's the place for visiting and definitely not for hanging around waiting for updates...in fact I'm hoping we can get away with not letting them know when we go in until after the babies are here!

kitty photo thing sounds good.

I hav underwear pics from pre-pregnancy done professionaly, they r very tasteful! I had my hair and makeup done as part of the package.

I wouldn't do one now tho! I like the bump but im already about 2 stone heavier, im ok with this as a process (growing a baby!) but no way confident enough now to pose for pics!

bet they look brill tho

also, meant to say. dm asked me if she could be at the hospital while I give birth (not in the room but waiting) I tried hinting that it wasn't the best idea but she wasn't gettin it. in the end I just said no as nicely as I could!!

she got huffy but there was no way thats happening!

boom yes I like the idea if artistic drapage too. Whilst underwear is a 'safer' option it almost removes the 'natural beauty' from it ifswim

poppy I'm having my hair and makeup done too. Thinking dark heavy eye makeup and false lashes so probably completely contradicts last comment about being natural haha! Oh and NO to Dm at the hospital whilst you're in labour!

Morning! Bunny and jess, I had loads of twinges early on, although that's eased now. I'm 7w3d and have very few symptoms at all. It's driving me crazy!! Did I make this up?? I'm not sleeping well (I haven't had 7 hours since the bfp) which I think is what's causing my tiredness. I have very slight nausea, to the point where I'm constantly checking 'do I feel sick?' slight food aversion, definite craving for white carbs and cheese. We were thinking we'd try and wait for 10 weeks to have harmony test and I think they do a quick scan then? But given my lack of symptoms I might cave and go at 8 weeks. I can't cope with the limbo!

Morning win! You say you haven't got any symptoms but that sounds pretty good to me!

merk yep the tiredness is getting me at the mo. And those maternity pants sound dead sexy

puppy your mum wants to be in the hospital whilst you are giving birth

Hey win or are you more of a wino lol. Glad to have another early berry around, pushchair chat is scary!

Can I ask a thicky question, you say 7w3d, is that just weeks and days since start of last AF?

Hey bunny, yes, weeks since the first day of last period. I had a scan at 6w1d and they dated me as 5w5d based on size. Although having done some extensive reading of journal articles on the matter it looks like early scans tend to underestimate date, as the data used to date scans had very few subjects less than 7 weeks. So don't worry if your scan shows you are a bit less than you are! It means I'm sticking to my own date rather than theirs! I ov'ed at about cd15, so reckon its quite accurate.

I was more of a wino than win prior to pregnancy tbh!! Although more 'grape juice that looks like wine'-o at the moment!

Thanks for the reassurance tally! I think my symptoms are so mild I worry I'm making them up because I want it so much!!

wino I was exactly the same as you! The poor sleep is a symptom though, it's something to do with your progesterone levels. I was like you with the slight nausea and craving symptom foods and when I was actually sick (only once) I was so proud of myself! How daft is that?!
I'm now 24+2 and still feeling pretty good so hopefully we'll both have fantastic pregnancies all the way through

wino you can join my gang, never really had any symptoms at all and it drove me bonkers! At the time I was jealous every time someone mentioned throwing up, that's how mental I was..looking back I was so bloody lucky. Are you poking yourself in the nipples to see if they're sore? That was my favourite trick

I just left an enquiry with the photography lady...eep. Her website says most of her bump pictures are nudes, which I'm trying to pretend I'm totally cool with but in reality I'm suddenly thinking EEEEK! I would love a gorgeous picture though, I just hope I don't end up looking lumpy bumpy..

Thanks kitty and boom. That does make me feel better!

wino boom ha! I'd forgotten about boob pokage!! Yep, I was guilty of that too!

boom at least it's 'the norm' for your photographer! I'm dreading asking in case they say no lol!

About to board a ridiculously busy train. What's the chances of getting a seat offered?

Pre-nightshift snooze not going well.. Woken up twice by postman/parcel deliveries!

Did you get your seat kitty?

boom yep sure did! Obviously rocking the helpless pregnant woman look! Wish Dh could drive home now instead of me but he's had a few beers. Just been to watch Wales v Italy (rugby). The bump didn't help me get served at the bar though!

Afternoon all,

So girlies, are you going to share these bump photos with us? Can I ask what sort of price they are?

Compared to the blessed symptom-free ladies, I find pregnancy very hard work, but I know I don't have it nearly as bad as some. I started off not too bad, then it seemed to really kick in at around 16 weeks- just when you're 'supposed' to be feeling better.

thunder I've no idea. I bought I've of those groupon deals. I get 6 small ones and a canvas but don't know if they just give you the crap ones so you spend loads of cash. I do really want some though. Won't be able to put them up on here or fb as I'd be too scared of work finding out as could get into big trouble no matter how tasteful