Hear me out on this one....

[DoubleCarrick]

Ok, so I think I have a crazy idea.

I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant and so far have hated pregnancy. I had a MMC last year which was traumatic and for the first trimester of this pregnancy was tense and nervous. I suffered awfully from sickness and nausea (although not bad enough for anyone to actually be worried), aces and pains, migraines and fatigue.

The nausea and sickness has carried on and started to subside at about 24 weeks. Lack of food has meant that I've lost weight and have generally looked like shit (face looking gaunt, dark circles around my eyes).

I suffered with some pelvic pain from about 10 weeks and by 14 weeks could hardly walk around the supermarket (my chiro has massively helped with this).

So all of these things seem to be resolving and now a couple of my ribs are almost permanently painful. I'm getting agitated and irritable and it's just making me want to cry. It's waking me up in the night and I'm just so tired and frustrated.

Ok, so I think mostly that's everything. On to my thoughts...

I've been doing some reading on hypnobirthing and the book I'm reading talks about the power of positive thinking. I spoke to DH about it last night and he said that he feels I have been focusing on the negative parts. He agreed that I've not been having a great time so I know it's not all completely in my head.

This is my plan...

Does anyone want to join me on a true positive thread? Things are shit, uncomfortable and worrying, yes. However, the idea is that the more you think of the positive things, the easier things feel and potentially the better things might go (obviously this is putting medical complications aside).

I'm going to fake it until I make it. I'm going to stop the whinging about all of the hard things and if anyone asks me how I'm feeling, I'll tell them something good. I'm going to ignore the breathlessness (tested and shown to be normal) and I'm going to go for a swim/a walk to try to strengthen my lungs. I'm going to ignore any worries and anxiety and just talk about how I'm looking forward to my baby coming and think about the preparations.

This thread is going to be my little positivity haven with not a single complaint in sight.

Maybe I'm mad? It can't hurt to try.

Would anyone like to join me with some relentless positivity?

Waves^ not wakes!

This sounds great! I had a melt down last night, not pregnancy related (my mother has cancer) but I have felt down quite a bit so far.

I've wanted to be pregnant for years but not enjoyed it all that much so far, mostly a bit down that i am losing my figure. I have booked onto a hypnobirthing course for December but would love to start thinking more positive in the mean time. PMA ladies!!!

whatser is it time for a share of bump pics? I'll happily oblige! I know what you mean about being in the early days of pregnancy. I don't feel like I have any reassuring words which makes me feel really bad as I know the situation they're in. Saying that, even from the beginning I didn't want to dwell on the fear.

stace Sorry to hear about your Mum My auntie has just had an operation to have some cancer removed. Hypnobirthing is amazing. I've learnt so much by doing my course. I also did an NCT waterbirth course on saturday with DH and it just backed up everything that I'd learnt in hypnobirthing. DH makes me laugh, after every session he keeps saying "I really like all of this hypnobirthing, it makes it sound so much easier and less stressful....etc, etc, etc". He's loving the idea of making a calm atmosphere at home and making things as relaxed as possible. It's only going to be a matter of time before he starts looking for music to download!

In terms of losing your figure, stace, I have no idea what your shape/size was before hand but I had a meeting on Tuesday and at the end they were talking about my bump and what not. One of the ladies there said "I put on 4 stone with both of my pregnancies". Everyone looked at her and was so shocked! She looks stunning, she's a size 8 and fits her clothes beautifully. I happen to know that her youngest must only be about 2 or something because she's only been off maternity leave for about a year. All is not lost! And think of it this way - we're supposed to put fat down to try to support breastfeeding so your body is preparing in the way that it should be. Hope my pep talk helps

charly it's a daisy class I'm doing and I love it. I feel so chilled and happy after class

Hi mike I was wondering how you were getting on.

The water birth class sounds really good double. DH is sceptical about my water birth plans so really wish we had a class like that near us.

Hi whatser I hope your doing good! I've been lurking on the other thread just to check how you guys are getting on. I'm not posting though as all my thoughts now are birth, kicks, bad backs and nursery furniture which I thought wouldn't be very supportive if your in the stressful early stages. I also can't believe you've finished your Christmas shop!!!!

Hi everyone else I have a memory like a goldfish at the moment and can't go back a page without losing this post!

We got our cot today! It's massive haha.

I hopefully want to start daisy birthing classes too at some point. I'd like to look into hypnobirthing as a nice way to stay calm! Apparently you can get you tube videos and CDs too I might have a gander.

Positive thing for today - our room looking more sorted. Now the cot is in and we've cleared out loads of junk I'm happier. Plenty of time though I'm only half way :)

Good to hear from you Mac! How far sling are you now? I was hoping for a water birth too but it depends on if my placenta moves. I love the idea of a class! Carrick your bump looks fab! You are literally all bump and skinny everywhere else! I've put on a stone so far and I'm sure my bump is expanding! She's worth it though!

Bum not bump^

Whatshername17 and DoubleCarrick love your bump pics! I'm half excited about getting mine and (half dreading having to tell work!)

My first scan is next week so I'm excited to finally tell family. Any lovely ways you guys shared the news?

charly there must be a running theme. We sorted our bedroom out at the weekend - I had so many old clothes!! Have now put the crib in our bedroom which is so lovely.

We had a cool way of announcing the gender, I think! (pic attached)

Loving the bump whatser!! I am pretty much all bump, you're right. Just starting to put some weight on on my hips and back though. I lost a fair amount of weight first part of the pregnancy and am now back up to my pre-pregnancy weight as of 2 days ago!

Have a look on the nct website, Mac, they might have one coming up in your area. It's worth a shot. It might convince him.

DH made the mistake of telling his very risk averse and paranoid Dad that we were planning on having a home birth. I'm imagining that next time he will come to me with a researched list of all of the potential problems and risks! It'll certainly be an interesting one to manage! It's not his fault, it's mostly down to MH issues so I can be understanding but it's very hard to get him to quieten his thoughts down. He's just an endless stream of chatter as things pop into his head. DH is planning a way of convincing him that he's not allowed to talk to me about his concerns

I've done most of my christmas shopping too and am just getting the last few bits for DH's stocking. I don't want to be faffing around with it all when I'm heavily pregnant, especially since DH has plans to rip the staircase out in December!

salty due to previous loss we have had a very low key way of announcing. I've just showed people the scan photo or told them in person it's very obvious now, not very exciting way! I think pinterest has lots of creative ideas on how to announce pregnancy.

I'm 26 weeks now whatser. I'm all bump too I haven't weighed myself but given that I'm craving sweet things all the time I've probably put on weight!

I had a look double and there is no nct classes near me which is a shame. I hope they cover it in our NHS class so he can learn a bit more about it and realise it's not some weird idea! That's a shame about dhs dad it could also be a generational thing care provision has changed a lot even in a short time. My hospital had a great sheet with each option with the pros and cons. The home birth option and the midwife led unit didn't come out too differently in terms of pros and cons.

tbh mac I think it's more a mental health thing rather than a generational thing. He's lovely but does find paranoia in the most unlikely of places. We're only five minutes from the hospital anyway. DH has just started using all of the quotes he can find to back up our choices and will tell him all of the positives. FIL will do his own research and hopefully not scare himself with stories. His heart is in the right place and he really is lovely so I'm mostly ignoring his angst

Yeah if he's anxious he will have found something to worry about in any option you chose regardless of which one you went for. 5 minutes from hospital sounds ideal though!

We are all due within 3 weeks of each other! That is nice! I can't wait to meet this little lady now. I should find out at the end of November if I have to have a section or not. If not, I'm hoping for a water birth at the hospital. I'm hoping to stay in for a day or two to provide a bit of a buffer between baby and overly excited family who will end up coming over way too much. With dd they all decended upon me about 4 minutes after I got home from the hospital (which was 10 hours after dd was born). It all got a bit much. This time I'm going to ask for a bit more space. We've decided we aren't announcing the name or any details until after dd has met her sister which hasn't gone down well. We want dd to be the first to know though. I've tried arguing that they will have waited 9 months they can wait a few more hours but I've had some grumpy reactions. Families, eh?

I'm going a bit further afield than the nearest hospital otherwise I think the entire family would be camped out in the hospital waiting!
That's lovely about dd being the first to meet her sister and heard her name. I still remember meeting mine for the first time in hospital we haven't got a name to tell anyone yet. We have a girls name and close family know what is it but just can't get there with a boys name yet!

we've got a boy and girl's name ready but are keeping it a secret until the baby is born just in case anyone has opinions on them haha. I'm also hoping for a waterbirth. feel very lucky as there's a midwife led birthing centre near us so as long as I stay low risk... fingers crossed!

we have our 20 week scan on Wednesday. DH is excited as he hasn't seen a scan before due to work so it will hopefully be a lovely experience for us both. And we might find out whether it's a girl or boy too!

We kept names secret too. Mil is so judgemental when it comes to names. I'm pretty sure she won't like our name but I really don't care. I don't want anyone ruining it for us.

I think we will have a boy as we just can't agree a name! My mum is a bit judgey about names and I don't think she's keen on our girl pick but I'm not bothered! Haha

Its so exciting to pick names!! We're having Cooper. I just hope it doesn't become popular in 2016/17 and become a common name.

Has anyone had Braxton hicks? What do they feel like for you? I'm sure I've been getting them and they've been pretty regular this evening. I'm not worried but some of the sensations are weird.

Dh filled the skip up this evening so we're ready to shut the garden down for winter this weekend. Might even for the first time ever plant some spring bulbs so something comes up as Coop starts to become more aware of his surroundings

I get regular Braxton hicks. My bump goes hard and tight for about 30 seconds then relaxes again. I also experience little miss pushing herself up against me and my tummy juts out at a weird angle. When I was carrying dd she pushed her elbow out so far that I actually held on to it. Weird but amazing!

Love the name choice BTW!

The movements are pretty weird, aren't they? Coop is generally head down and it often feels like he's poking me in the groin! My tummy goes a weird shape too. MW said his bum was under my ribs so I think it could possibly be knees sticking out, although that doesn't sound like a very comfortable position.

I have a nice little pregnancy positive this morning. I'm normally an early riser, but since pregnancy this is quite a lot earlier!! I got up just before six today and am curled up downstairs with a blanket, a hot choc and my dog snuggled next to me. I imagine if this baby takes after his daddy this might be my morning peace before everyone gets up! If not, at least I won't find early morning get ups hard!

Macauley really sorry to hear of your loss. Thanks for the suggestion, will look there and definitely after something low key anyway

Whatshername I think that's lovely that you're prioritising your dd. Have you had a water birth before? I'm considering this but need to do my research.

Double that's a lovely name!

Think I'm the furthest behind so you'll all have to post a baby pic so I have some positivity to keep me going when yours arrive :)

I've not had a water birth before as I had a complicated first delivery with dd. I loved giving birth. I'd be disappointed if I didn't get to do it again but, too be honest, all that matters is a safe delivery. I spent 20 minutes this morning snuggled up in bed with dd. It was lovely, then little miss started kicking dd's hand and her face just lit up!

Whatshername yes definitely. Plus it would be typical if they're all being used when you get there too! So I think I'd have to think of it as a possibility, rather than the actual plan

salted there are a few on this who are also on the pregnant after MC thread. I think, for us, this is where the need for positivity comes in as it's such a scary reality.

whatser I hope you do get the waterbirth you'd like. Plans are so hard to make as there's no true way of knowing how any of it will go. I have my plans and hopes but apart from that will just have to see how it goes.

Had another amazing nights sleep last night! Two in a row is a record for me so I'm very happy!! I didn't get up until 7 this morning which was amazing (I'm such an early bird).

Finally in my third trimester, I'm starting to feel like a normal person again!! It's harder to move around but I'm feeling so much better than I have in months! Long may it continue.

Any body positives? I actually am liking my bump. I've got some gorgeous skinny jeans and have just bought a couple of long sleeve tops. Was in desperate need of a new coat and boots so I've splashed out (I never ever buy myself any new clothes) actually, truth is, DH practically had to force my on to the tkmaxx website to pick some clothes. I even had a paddy when he tried to make me throw out some tatty socks and I feel like I look good again. No more scruffy hoodies for a while. I'm naturally more of a trainers and hoody girl but feel amazing in my new clothes with my lovely bump. I know I'm gushing now but it's so lovely because although I've never really had body hangups, I've never really felt good about myself. The bedroom is tidy the nesting instinct made me throw all of my old clothes in the bin, I've started wearing a small amount of perfume and a necklace/my wedding ring again. Jewellery, perfume, nice clothes? I'm actually looking after myself! i do draw the line at makeup though. No makeup Can you equate pregnancy with feeling sexy? I'm thinking maybe...

Anyway, that's my random positive for this morning.

Oh yes, and I bought these online... (pic) Reusable nappies are so cute that I hope I can make it work!! He's going to be one cool kid in is nappies!

Weirdly, Coop is always wiggling away when I type to you ladies. He must be waving at you all!