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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Hi, I'm 23 years old and i'm pregnant with my first child. I would love to hear from other expectant moms...

193 replies

Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 01:12

Hi, I'm 23 years old and I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant with my first child. I am really excited about it, but am a little nervous/ scared as i'm unsure what to expect. I have never really been around babies or small children. I would really love to hear off and talk to other expectant mom's, to hear your thoughts and experiences. x x x

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prettymum · 24/09/2006 01:15

hi, im 21 im not expecting but had dc2 in july. dont worry too much, just enjoy pregnancy, and when baby comes, it all usually falls into place.

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 01:20

Thanks, it's really nice to hear that. Never thought i'd be quite so scared...

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prettymum · 24/09/2006 01:25

when i was pregnant with dd i was 18 and19 when i had her. i used lie in bed worrying how i would cope, i didnt have my familys support, and i hadntknown my dp for long aswell!! but after she was born, just followed my instincts and every babys different.
with ds it was a breeze, the pregnancy flew by.

do you know the sex?

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 01:36

I do have family support but we live about 3 hours from our family. No don't know the sex, we decided to wait and have it as a suprise but i wish i knew. (by the way sorry but whats dd, ds and dp - i'm new to chat rooms lol)

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prettymum · 24/09/2006 01:41

dd- dear daughter, ds- dear son, dp- dear partner, if you look at useful stuff under mumsnet heading click onto acronym list, it tells you all the abbreviations

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 01:53

Oh right, excellent thanks. Only joined tonight. So you have 2 children? Did you feel really young when you had your first? I know i'm 23 but I still feel very young. Did you find there's alot of scary information out there that just seems to confused hell out of you?

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prettymum · 24/09/2006 02:15

i look youngerthan my age, you should see the looks i get from people noe that i have two kids!

when i got pregnant with dc1 i was 18 and the only one out of my friends with kids so it was frightening, but the fact that i was young didnt worry me, the fact that i would have a baby was! my dp was very supportive and he always know the right things to say to put my mind at ease!!

i used to watch all the baby programes and the used to scare the living daylight out of me but you end up following your motherly instincts when your baby comes.

have you looked up the antenatal clubs for the month your babyis due? when is the baby due?

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 02:31

I look very young for my age too. I'm the first out of my friends too also, I feel a little young but excitement has taken over now.

My dp is really good too, like yours he seems to know exactly what to say to make me feel better.

I've been watching all those programmes too but I think there what are making me so anxious.

I'm due in January, I had my 22 week scan on Friday which was amazing. I haven't looked up any anetnatal classes or anything, There's some put on by the hospital which are in November. Is it worth going to others in addition to the hospital ones?

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Indith · 24/09/2006 11:58

Hi! I just turned 23 and I'm due December 28th. Also my first and a mixture of terrified and excited about it! Dp and I are both uni students so currently trying to get most of our baby shopping before term starts! Glad you say you feel really young too! I know in the rational part of my brain that I'm really not young to be having a babay but I still don't feel like a grown up!

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 12:30

Hi Indith,

That is exactly how I feel. I don't feel grown up at all.

Have you got everything ready? Do you know what your having?

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Indith · 24/09/2006 14:11

Nope and nope! A surprise baby in every way possible! We just moved into our new flat last Sunday and currently frantically writing essays! Planning on a big Ikea trip in a couple of weeks to get bits of furniture and of course a cot etc then will have to get the nappies, couple of bottles (though planning on breast feeding), clothes etc. Oh and a pram...the list is endless! The shopping list thing is so confusing! How on earth am I supposed to know what to buy? And have you noticed that everything not blue or pink is cream and brown? I swear I'm going to just buy a pack of white sleep suits from Tesco and go shopping after it comes out for more clothes!

Ah well, it is all coming together really, I'll just feel much more ready when I have a nice little nursery with all the baby things ready so it can make an appearance whenever it feel like! How is your prep?

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 15:54

Lol!!! You sound exactly like me! Prep isn't going to badly, have the room painted, decided on pale yellow as the idea of cream and brown didn't appeal to me either! Other than having it painted I haven't got anything else done. We're quite lucky as my DH's parents are buying the cot and my parents are buying the pram which is a HUGE help. Think i'm going to get a few things now but get the majority when the babies here.

Did you suffer from morning sickness or anything? Had any strange cravings?

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Indith · 24/09/2006 16:49

That is a huge help! Not painting here as we are only likely to be here for a year until dp graduates then move a bit more out of town so we can have an entire house and a garden for the same rent!

No cravings, I seem to be having a fairly boring pregnancy as far as that goes. Ligaments been giving me hell lately though. Morning sickness was quite restrained, was raw meat that made me feel sick and cooking in general. Not too useful as I was living in Spain at the time and dp was in Russia so I had nobody to cook for me! Ate a lot of frozen pizzas......

Are you the first of your friends then?

JollyRogerMamaG · 24/09/2006 17:08

I was 24 when I had my DD and I was the first of my friends too, very scared, never been around young babies. Everybody said "it'll fall into place" - but it didn't !! After a few days it did, but I remember her crying in the cot in hospital and me waffing my arms about, not sure how to pick her up! So don't worry if you don't feel its all fallen into place (although it might, for you) becuase you'll soon be an old hand at it.

trinityrhino · 24/09/2006 17:12

Hi, I'm 28 and pg with my third and I'm scared all over again

Hope you relax soon and I'm sure you'll be fine

pennygaff · 24/09/2006 18:59

Hi I'm 31 and expecting my first, its all I can think about, and I am terrified too...(but happy) trying not to worry about the birth but its my number 1 phobia at the mo

Olihan · 24/09/2006 19:04

Just wanted to add my congrats and point you in the direction of the Due In January (think that's right for you?) ante natal thread - everyone on there is going through just what you are so thought it might be helpful!! Click here to find it.

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 19:20

Indith,

I had cronic morning sickness until I was 20 wks, thankfully that bits over and i'm really beginning to enjoy it now. It's it lovely not having to worry about not quite fitting into those jeans - Haha. My cravings were KFC zinger burgers, Spirte and Quavers - Oh what a combination!!!

My DH is away alot too, he's missed out on all of our scans because he's on a course. It's been really hard on him. When do you both graduate?

Yeah I am the first out of my friends and there's not really been any babies in my family so i'm at a bit of a loss. My only experience of changing a nappy ended with the poor little thing having it on back to front and cover in nappy cream... Ooops!

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Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 19:24

Hi Penny,

I have to admit I am extremely anxious about the "birth" too. I've been trying not to think about it and it doesn't help when I have people around me saying how they did it "completely natural and without pain relief". Trust me if i'm in that much pain i'll be asking for something, bring on the wonders of medical science - haha.

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Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 19:31

Thanks for the suggestion Olihan, i'll take a look... It's nice to compare notes x

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Chocalholic1 · 24/09/2006 19:41

Michelle ever since I found out how a baby came into this world I've been completely freaked out about labour. However, since I got pregnant I've not found it as scary - probably because I'm worrying about other things instead! Anyway, most girls I have spoken to have said it is totally bearable and not scary at all. I know a couple who said it was awful but they panicked and I think in the end it made it worse for them. Know it is easier said than done but I reckon worrying will actually make it less bearable. When is your baby due?

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 20:07

Hi, I think your probably right... It is daunting though. Keep watching those birth programmes - screaming women scare me!
I'm due in January and I can't wait! When are you due?

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youngmum21 · 24/09/2006 20:34

hi im 21 and expecting my first and ive only got 5 weeks to go am gettin worried now!!!!

Original poster
Michelle24 · 24/09/2006 20:43

Hi! Your lucky, I wish I only had 5 weeks left! What are you most anxious about? Is it the birth or having the baby to look after afterwards?

Do you know what your having?

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youngmum21 · 24/09/2006 21:02

I think not knowing when my labour will start worries me more then anything, you can only prepare yourself so much for it if you get what i mean!!!
Yes im havin a girl!!!
Believe me 5 weks seem like a long time when you cant sleep, eat, feel huge and fed up sorry if im putting you off!!the middle months are the best when your ova the sickness and your not to big and there arent no aches and pains sorry to rant!!!