The berries in the chopper (thread 5). All together now... clench

[CatsCantFlyFast]

For pregnant berries at any stage. Scary thought but this is the one where some babies will appear!

Evening all!

So who is up on baby producing duty next then?

So kitty will you be blind tasting baby food and guessing what brown sludge is in each nappy then?!?!?

bunny It's someone beginning with b and ending with m...

Oh god I'm hope so re games! I love all that crap! I've also specifically said I want people to drink and have a good time (pregnant and breast feeders excluded). Just because I can't have a drink doesn't mean everyone else can't!

With oooooooo in the middle

'B' 'ooooo' 'm'? Nopes, drawing a blank. As long as it's not me

Stressful day yesterday with builders/painters/carpenters in the house. Today all I have to do is get bloods rechecked and go for coffee with my mum and tidy up the workmens crap so hopefully a slightly more pleasant day!

Bump is now so, so heavy. I'm really struggling to get out of bed for my nightly wee trips. Maybe they're thinking about putting in an appearance after all...

bunny all official now then?

kitty you're outing people again you ninny!! Massive bork at the poo-in-nappy game but as long as you have fun, I remember you planning your babyshower back in berry hq!

I was just thinking the other day that Kitty hadn't outed anyone for a while

Morning, berries!
kitty I think I was engaged from 35 weeks, although from all accounts, my bump has been pretty well behaved. It can happen at any time up until during labour itself, and seems to have no bearing on how soon or late you deliver. (Not engaging being a potential problem, but being engaged doing nothing to speed things up, IYSWIM)

boom know what you mean about a heavy bump - feels like mine is heavy just turning over in bed. Can't imagine how heavy it is now with twins!

charming I say go and have the chat. My NCT teacher had a good line on advice from others - nod and smile at whatever they say; remember everyone else has an agenda, however slight; take what you like and feel free to ignore the rest. No harm in having more info, as long as you are still in control of your own decisions.

Morning berries

Glad to hear that you are feeling more normal merk - I can't wait for that!

I was wondering if anyone can help with some weird sensations I was having in the night. I am a bit of a hypochondriac, especially in the 'witching hour' in the middle of the night when problems seem worse etc. I had a bit of a headache last night (it came and went - so I was worrying preeclampsia but it really wasn't sever) and puked up my dinner (it was fish and chips that I didn't really fancy but DH did) - I didn't feel that ill though, unlike the sausage casserole incident at about 19 weeks Then in the night I got up twice for wees which were really small, followed by an aching feeling all across the lower part of my bump - kind of like a diarrhoea feeling, kind of like a period feeling, kind of like a UTI feeling. The pains would last for a bit and then go away and come back again - are these contractions or Braxton Hicks or something else?

Been having loads of what I think are lightening pains in the burger too….

brod the easiest way to know are to time them, I wasn't sure what my pains were but when I timed them they were all 30 seconds long and around 7 minutes apart.....was a shock I can tell you! Sounds promising though.

Hope you feel ok this morning after being sick etc. Could be your body getting prepared.

Thanks Cleo will time them if they occur again!

It's just so weird at this stage, first time around, not knowing what to expect - everyone has such differing and individual descriptions of both BH and contractions.

I agree totally, its so hard to know what's happening and what to expect as its all totally new. Fwiw when mine started it felt like period/gripe pains, it was only because they were regular that I knew what they must be. Hope you're ok and fingers crossed you don't have much longer to wait. Never really sure what BHs are either probably makes me sound stupid I got told I was in latent labour as mine werent always regular but were ongoing, plus they didnt develop as he was t engaged, how that is different to BHs I don't know.

Thanks for all the words of wisdom Berries as usual. When I was younger I always said I wanted 6 sons so my reaction really took me by surprise; all I can say is that I got it into my head that a daughter would be my little sidekick whereas I wouldn't be able to feel that close to a son - delusional really, and based on nothing. Ironically yesterday I did a big shop and everywhere I looked was mothers with their adorable sons, and Merk you're right, the K'ston Baby Gap is the place to be! (might have cleaned them out...) Charming I hadn't thought of it like that, and it has struck a chord - no thoughtless comparisons parenting-wise to either my parents or my SIL - total win! So I'm feeling much more confident about the whole thing. It helped a lot to know others felt the same, so thanks bigtime

Our NHS scan was yesterday and this time I got (very mildly) fussed at for my bladder not being full enough Baby was rocking and rolling again so I'm a little concerned that my caffeine intake is affecting him badly (can cut back now that water stays down most of the time), and also concerned that in 6 months I'm going to give birth to a tornado - but at any rate all the measurements looked good and the staff were very friendly and kind and the receptionist arranged my next appts so that I can go home for a few weeks without missing anything good time to order a maternity bikini!

On today's agenda: dream genii pillow. Worth it, or not? I feel like my gut bump abdomen needs support that a normal pillow isn't giving.

Tally thinking of you and hoping your first full day of motherhood goes swimmingly!

Bunny how're you feeling now that you're FB official Nausea OK? Mine's backing off, thank God!

Kitty jealous of your baby shower! and of course of your pre-party glam session!!

Charming I'd have a chat with your friend/her mum; your birthing decisions are yours and I'm sure as physicians they won't get too invested in your choice, especially since you aren't their patient.

Hi to everyone else!

hi sid - glad you're feeling better about things.

Don't worry about wriggly baby - I basically don't consume caffeine (not a fan pre-pregnancy) and it hasn't stopped my bean from jiggling and jumping at every scan!

Re: dream genii, I don't have one, but I do have this Cushtie pillow:
www.amazon.co.uk/Funtime-Ltd-Cushtie-Squish-Pillow/dp/B0006VSTUQ
that my SIL bought me - works really well tucked under the side of the bump in bed to provide a bit of extra support. Only now (38 wks) starting to feel a bit small. Have also been using a normal pillow to support legs for the last few weeks.

brod Re: pains, obvs haven't had labour pains yet, but my BH have been here from about 30 weeks - they are irregular, often last for a few minutes at a time, feel like the whole bump going tight and rigid, but without any pain really - just discomfort. Best description I've heard - BH is like someone wrapping a sheet around your bump and then twisting it to tighten.
Sounds like timing is the way forward...

Hmm, I think I have had BH another time - the tightening is familiar - but this was different. Will have to see if it happens again, and might mention it to my midwife.

Glad things are looking up sid, it does seem that some women have super wrigglers. An NCT friend says hers is moving pretty in 24 hour stretches! Glad also to hear the staff were nice - I've had pretty mixed experiences!

I have this pillow www.amazon.co.uk/Original-THERALINE-incl-cover-purple/dp/B005C8EL5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397048819&sr=8-1&keywords=theraline+pillow and it's quite good as its full of tiny beads so doesn't get squooshed after constant use. Bit pricey though!

• pretty much in 24 stretches

Starting to struggle with tiredness and more bump ache. Think I have had BH for a while on and off, mostly across top and middle of bump. Today has been lower down pain on right side, feels tight and kind of like a pulled muscle. Baby is very active and some of the movements are quite sore. Sure this is normal but in my over tired state am fretting a bit. Keep thinking i might have to stop work earlier than planned, but really don't want to, want to keep as much leave as i can for after baby is here

Good news on the scans sid, ours has been very active at all scans, not making for very photogenic pics!

Hi all!

Boooooooooom have you had those babies yet?!?

Yep we're all official now, told work (and Faceache) yesterday, it's rather weird losing our little secret.

sid glad your other scan went well. Nausea still hideous here, if it doesn't stop soon it will get depressing

Ventured into maternity shopping today and now feeling freaked out! Will my bump really get big enough to fit into these items

Seraphine have a sale on at the mo. While on the subject of mat wear I am now wishing I had thought more long term when buying tops...I'm having to buy a lot of tops suitable for breastfeeding now and if i had thought in advance I could have bought maternity tops that would have doubled up. I know lots of people manage bf-ing by wearing two tops and pull one up and one down but there is clearly a secret to this that I don't know as I can only do this if I put the baby down, arrange my clothes so my boob is on show, then pick the baby up again, making it not v suitable for public! Also I don't seem to have any tops (bar 1 or 2 perhaps) that ican pull down over my boobs, even vest tops don't work. So all in all I'm trying to say if you're buying maternity tops its perhaps worth keeping an eye out for something that would also work for breastfeeding. Alternatively if you know the secret of how to bf in public in normal clothes without having your boobs waving around, I would be interested!
Time is flying for you all now, can't believe our 'newbies' are now second tri and another bunch of babies are on the horizon. Looking forward to having somebody other than poor Thunder to moan at
We have just had a 3.5hour feeding session here, but it was all worth it as I'm now taking an hour out as she sleeps for a soak in a hot bath

merk I dont have much bf experience but friends have told me that a big floaty scarf can be great to help save your modisty! I found that a crop top underneath a vest top was easier than fighting with the length of 2 vest tops.

merk my sister had a wierd bfing apron last year, I had never seen them before but was great for modest feeding when out and about or even at home/other peoples houses when she was worried about other people feeling uncomfortable.

Foody I have an apron too but its a bit of a pain to not be able to just manage like everybody else!
Mother I did try the floaty scarf trick but with a wriggling baby its hard stopping her grabbing it and flashing my nips for everyone to see! Maybe I am just uncoordinated another thing I am finding out that I am crap at since becoming a mum

Aww merk don't you like our moans?

I agree about breast feeding tops as well as not knowing how on earth to do if in public. Haven't tried yet as only just started taking short excursions out of the house this week.

So thunderkit is 2 weeks old today- can't believe it. She's spent all day wanting to eat or be asleep next to a boob- hmmm hoping she's not broken....

Hello to all. It really is getting exciting- more twinges and berry babies on the way soon, eeeee!

Thunder I was feeling bad for landing you with all of my moaning! Not the other way round as it helps my sanity to know I'm not the only person not altogether sure what I am doing all of the time!

Mini Merk is 19 days old. Where has that time gone other than feeding, doing funny walks to try to make her sleep and making up words to nursery rhymes as I don't know them properly

Thanks for the thoughts on advice, think I'll go along, as you say and take what I want from it.
I have a dream genii sid & I don't really like it! I find remaining in one position all night makes me very stiff, but it is very comfortable initially. I think once bump gets bigger it'll be better for me.
Great advice re bf tops merk thanks. I've got a couple of summer dresses that have the flap bits, but will need tops for winter too. Not sure how one manages the boob in public thing - I always look away when friends do it. Maybe I should observe more!
sid. Glad you're feeling better about the boy. I was a bit down as mine will be august and summer boys struggle at school. Sweeping generalisation, I know. I married a summer born boy and he's done very well, but I know from mil that primary sch was a struggle. But, I'm over that now. Have a read of 'raising boys' by Steve biddulph. Very insightful.

Perhaps we should have practised the bf thing while pregnant.... Sit on one hand (this will be the baby holding hand). Now, with the other hand, adjust clothing so you can give baby access to your nipple, preferably without exposing boobs or belly too obviously to the world. Once you have mastered this please come and tell me how you do it

15 weeks today Crikey how did that happen?!?!?

I've got to the point when I wake up before my alarm and lie there dreading have to stand up so the gagging can commence