Due August 2021 - over half way!

[Daffodil21]

@wimbler - EDD 29 July, surprise 💛
@Champson - EDD 22 August (but really June/July), TBC 💖💖💖
@coffeeandrainbows1- EDD 4 August (but most likely July), Boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July), Girl 💖
@Smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep - EDD 2 August, Boy 💙
@ready2020 - EDD 4 August, Girl 💖
@Xaxnxdxrxexaxandrews87 - EDD 4 August, Boy 💙
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, surprise 💛
@ElonaWise - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@Runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Srtdr - EDD 12 August, surprise 💛
@Daffodil21 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Inmypjsagain - EDD ???, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, Boy 💙
@Aaaaa1519 - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, Girl 💖
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Lille4 - EDD 17 August, Girl 💖
@Redskinsucks - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@RockyRockyRoad - EDD 18 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@Winecoffeeteamum - EDD 23 August, Girl 💖
@LaceyMermaid - EDD 24 August, TBC 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise 💛
@ava50x - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@Ghhh - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@northernsquirrel - EDD 26 August, surprise 💛
@LyraShaeLilly - EDD 27 August, Girl 💖
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, TBC 💛
@diamante11 - EDD 29 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛
@CountryGirl84 - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛

@Whatshouldbemyusername I don't think you can PM on the app, I think it has to be done on the website (someone correct me if I'm wrong!) Click the icon at the top right of the page that looks like a person, and then click 'private messages' there and then at the bottom there's a button with a + on it that says 'message'. Click that and then you just have to type the username (no @) in the 'to' but then your message/subject below

Thank you my loves x

Oh also has anyone done reflexology? I read in my hypnobirthing book that it's really good for pregnancy and labour. Was thinking of looking into it. Has anyone had any experience

@LaceyMermaid ok I’ll try a smaller load! I just find with the heat it’s like the creases get baked in and the ironing is monumental!

@PurplePansy05 ohhh this sounds like a good excuse for shopping, lol! Yeah folding helps too-
Though I’ve been trying (and failing) to fold like Marie Kondo and I’m sure that’s great for fold lines!

How’s everyone’s movements been? I’m getting really low kicks, on my bladder but it also sort of feels like he’s trying to kick his way out and it’s really uncomfortable. I’m guessing that’s normal and I just need to get used to it. My stomach is also visibly moving these days which is taking some adjustment!

@Whatshouldbemyusername I did when TTC. It was great, very relaxing. But you need to make sure you go to a well trained person who knows how to do it in pregnancy as certain points are not supposed to be used for safety (they can make your cervix contract). These are not normally stimulated post-ovulation either. If you go to a good specialist, it's lovely and I'd recommend. xx

@Inmypjsagain nothing much going on here in terms of movements still (25 weeks today). I've had the odd thing that I think is movement but I'm not sure 🙄 when I had my scan last week the sonographer asked if I could feel anything, when I said no she actually called me a medical miracle as she could see him kicking away but I couldn't feel anything 😒

@Whatshouldbemyusername I've done it pre conception to help with conceiving, along with acupuncture (I literally tried everything!!). I really enjoyed it!

Wrt washing powder there's no such thing as bio / non bio in Germany so everything gets washed in the same powder, which is all the same as the bio stuff. I've heard it's a bit of a marketing con in the UK! You can buy special sensitive washing stuff but it's not recommended for babies or anything, it's really expensive and comes in tiny bottles so I just buy normal powder and it's always been fine.

I am that person who waits until everyone has run out of clothes and then I do five loads in one day.

@Inmypjsagain method should be fine for a baby as it's not toxic and all that!

@Whatshouldbemyusername I have it done sometimes when I'm feeling low or just need a bit of a cleanse and always found it lovely

@BertieBotts I never run out of clothes only the clothes I like. My drawers are full of clothes that I never wear but can't get rid of 🤷🏼‍♀️😂🙈 I can't use bio as it sends my skin crazy. Neither can DS so never used anything other than non bio !

@Daffodil21 hope you start feeling something soon, guess it’s where the placenta is positioned? I thought I’d be the same but I’ve had movements for a few weeks now, husband even felt his first kick yesterday, mine is listed as high anterior. At the same time I’d say enjoy the peace because I got woken up last night by the kicks!

@BertieBotts why am I surprised that it’ll be a marketing ploy! Oh well that’s good, I like our washing stuff so good I don’t need to change it.

@lucyrp I just like method cos of the smell 😂

Acupuncture is great too, completely agree with @Daffodil21. It's incredible how much it can help with physical and mental health issues as well. I really liked it. It even helped DH with his pollen allergy which isn't something we expected, but he's much better after years of struggling and he's not had any acupuncture for over 1.5 years now. xx

Also, we saw our son's kick on the outside for the first time last night at 24+6! DH loved it 😂 Full of gratitude today for our precious 25 weeks together 🙏💙 xx

I’m feeling bits nearly every day some more than others!
Starting to feel very real and realising not that long to go really x

How weird is it though @PurplePansy05 the first one I saw I was like woaaah and my husband seemed shocked there was actual baby in there 😂 I’m used to it now but the first few times I was a bit shocked.

I’m 25 + 2 today, can’t believe it’s gone after how slow the first 12 weeks felt! Got my midwife call in a mo which I’m dreading, my midwife is always confused and she confuses and stresses me out!!

@PurplePansy05 so odd isn't it! I've Been able to see some from 21 weeks and just getting used to it now. Completely forgot what it was like 🙈x

@Inmypjsagain I'm also getting lots of low down kicks which are uncomfortable - I had a stern word with baby last night telling them to calm down and go to sleep so I could stop feeling unwell (shocking did bugger all good 😂). So strange seeing it from the outside isn't it!

We have a boy name and a girl name which are top of the list, but I had a list as long as my arm so every so often veer away from our chosen ones to another. I'm hoping when baby arrives they have a distinct look about them to make it easier! Some of mine are so outlandish that I will have to save them for pets, I don't think I could do that to an actual baby 😳

@Inmypjsagain yeah mine is positioned at the front. I've seen him kicking away at the placenta in the scans but just not feeling it. When I think I've been feeling things it's been really low, so I guess below the placenta...

@PurplePansy05 it is amazing isn't it. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical, and I only went to start with as it was literally the only thing we hadn't tried. Probably a complete coincidence but I had to cancel my second session because I fell pregnant. That ended in mc and afterwards I started my sessions again. I ovulated earlier than I usually would have that month (I used to ovulate around CD21, so later than the norm), I was expecting it to be delayed because it usually is after mc, but it wasn't at all, and lo and behold I got pregnant again that cycle and had to cancel my next appointment, and here we are 6 months later and still going (probably more to do with the drugs than the acupuncture, but it definitely shortened my cycle to a more normal length!)

Reflexology was also a pleasant surprise. The parts that felt gritty were my ovaries (big surprise with my stupid cycles) and she also picked up on lower back problems, which the acupuncturist also picked up on without me saying anything as she was an osteopath as well. Turns out I have a twisted spine and rotated pelvis, I always thought the pain was due to bad posture! But yeah, they both picked up on it without me saying anything!

Now I'm completely all for these kinds of treatments!

Sounds like you were in good hands with both the acupuncturist and reflexologist @daffodil21. I do believe these therapies can help, with experienced professionals.

I've been feeling some dull movement deep inside but nothing dramatic...until early this morning when baby kicked and punched on both sides of belly - I'm 25+5! It was a real shock! Must have been having a real good stretch!!!

It is so exciting to be this far, it's still very surreal.

I've made some progress with shopping, managed to buy a changing basket with mattress, a wooden Noah's ark from Little Dutch (love love love).....oh and nose dived into the rabbit hole of muslin cloths on Etsy! Spent far far too much on just square pieces of fabric....😳

Still don't feel like I have anything useful.

Thank you all for your experiences on reflexology. I am thinking of doing a few sessions with a really good one in North Harrow and has good reviews.

@Daffodil21 I've got an anterior placenta too and I'm 23+4 so I feel them here and there and yes the don't feel too strong yet. Hopefully will know more about placenta positioning at week 28. At 20 week scan the sonographer did say it's not blocking the cervix at all which is a good thing. X

@Dia12 oh man I do love overpriced Etsy too. Just ordered 2 organic cotton muslin blankets last evening - just couldn't resist. I've also got a changing mat and a lampshade from there. Will go to shops soon to look for actual stuff that's more useful for baby like newborn clothes. It's all too cute and hard to resist. Having to constantly remind myself whether it's a need or want otherwise will keep spending £££ x

I just had my bra fitting today and it's so nice to have something that is lovely and fits well and looks pretty 😂 my size has gone bonkers though. Used to be a 36D now I'm 40 B!

On the washer dryer front, our washer is a 9kg drum which is plenty big enough! We only got a dryer a few months back when we moved house as we just didn’t have the room in the old place. Now I think about it I don’t know how I did so much washing with my first DS without a dryer or airer! 🙈 I just hung stuff on the radiators, god knows how the house wasn’t riddled with damp. 😂

On the name front, it’s funny you say Alex @PurplePansy05 as that’s the name we have picked out. 😅 hope that isn’t too weird! We have had it for a few months now and it’s literally the only name we can agree on. However I’m torn as to have it literally just as Alex or Alexander as our surname is a three syllable mouthful (and I’m having his middle name as my dads name which is also three syllables!)

I was rather annoyed at the DH family the other day though, they were on speaker phone and they asked DH if we had thought about any other names. Now, I didn’t want to tell them and purposefully haven’t told them because I knew I wouldn’t like the reaction. DH said Alex to which the MIL replied “I hate that name, don’t use that name”. Now AIBU or is that just a little bit, I don’t know, not something you would say?! I mean, fair enough have your opinion and not everyone is going to like it, but if your literally told we are 98% going to use that name, I don’t think it’s something you should say?! They want us to call him Harry- which is their dogs name (who is 4 YO) and said they will change the dogs name... very odd.

I weighed myself the other day and I really wish I hadn’t. I’ve put on over a stone, no idea how much you should put on but I wasn’t very heavy to begin with lol. I’m constantly hungry but know I’m snacking on all the wrong stuff.

Not weird at all @Magik01, we've never talked about names on here before so there are bound to be some repetitions. Alexander was my late grandfather's name so I guess that's a nice connection. But we're still not set on any names, we just call him "the little boy". FWIW, I don't think Alexander is too long with a long surname (think Alexander Hamilton - sounds good IMO), even with a longer middle name, it's classy.

I suspect we'll end up with a classy name and then either shorten it or give him a nickname, in fact I have a nickname for him already and will probably call him that!

I think your MIL was very rude and they can sod off with the dog's name. That's a crazy suggestion they'd rename the dog, don't even listen to them! xx

@Daffodil21 My reflexologist picked up on my digestive system issues and I do occasionally suffer from IBS and when I get stressed, my stomach is where it all accumulates, I get pain/diarrhoea, just general unpleasantries and my stomach is often in a knot. She knew straight away, I've never said anything about it. My acupuncturist was extremely helpful after my first MC, exactly as you say, regulated the cycle, decreased anxiety, it was brilliant. I wouldn't say it resolved my grief as such, I had to deal with this myself and go to counselling. But it eased it on me physically big time. I was finally able to sleep and relax which was big help. I'd recommend this in a heartbeat to anyone struggling with physical or MH issues. xx

@PurplePansy05 yeah it didn't resolve my grief (tbh I never properly dealt with that) but it definitely helped regulate my cycle. I was a little sad to stop my sessions! It's amazing what they can pick up!

I really need to get over my anxiety for buying things! We know what we want to get but I’m so worried if I buy something I’ll jinx it all, so we’re putting it off for as long as possible....I know that’s not sensible but it’s like I have a block in my head stopping myself from hitting buy. All we have so far is 2 baby grows that my MiL gave us!

Oh I expect the real heavy kicks are just around the corner now! Also really love the name Alex/Alexander. It’s just classic and timeless I think- though the Alexander I know goes by Xander.

@Magik01 MIL being entirely unreasonable!!!! Not her baby to name and if she doesn’t like it then tough. I’d be inclined to use the name just to wind her up! Harry is short for Henry so you could just say you don’t want to use an abbreviated name for a full name? (It’s what a friend said to her MIL too, she didn’t mean it but it stopped her interfering!)

Alex/Alexander/Xander are all gorgeous - we know lots of Alex-es so it wouldn't work for us, but if we didn't it would absolutely be high on the list.

@Magik01 that's so rude and presumptuous of your MIL! And how odd to think of changing the poor dog's name, he'd be so confused. We've decided not to share names with anyone until baby is here and named as both of our families are quite opinionated so I think we'd end up with a similar situation to you if we did. No one has really suggested anything for us either (apart from my mum who has repeatedly suggested Marmaduke for a boy or a girl... hope she's joking!)