Fabulous 40+ and Proud: Mum and Mums to be Part 2

[Kaz1967]

Ok we have talked to the end of the topic so here is a new one

MaxiMum1 try not to worry you rarely see a heartbeat that early.

MaxiMum1, 5 weeks is very early to see a heartbeat. I don't remember seeing one until a week or so later. Try not to worry. I know it is easier said than done! I ended up paying for 3 private scans this time because I couldn't wait for the NHS one at 13 weeks.

MaxiMum1 I paid for a scan at 7 weeks and they would not scan me anytime before this as they said there was no point i.e. you cannot see a heartbeat before this. Try not to fret (she says knowing that all mums and mums to be fret over EVERYTHING!). I'm sure everything will be fine Believe me when I say that you're not alone and we've all been where you are now Just shout out if there's anything on your mind.

kaz1967 hows kez? Is she getting better at sleeping yet? Have you nodded off yet, standing next to the kettle waiting it for it to boil? If so, tis a sure sign you're knackered

And a thought just came to me, don't Ikea already do home shopping? In fact I KNOW they do home shopping...go to their website and see www.ikea.com/gb/en/

couple of Katherine pics for today

JW she looks beautiful - I can't believe she's 3lb (!!) and I never mentioned before her hair - she's got lots and it's luscious.

Question for you gals (predominantly for the... errr.. more voluptuous of us). I am 21 weeks this weekend and a) I'm still wearing my non maternity jeans (though they are stretch ones) and though some things feel tighter I can't work it out as my stomach just doesn't seem to be getting bigger. Also it's still quite soft (!). I know there is padding of my own making but I seem to remember my tummy being harder first time around. I've put on about 5lb in total since being pregnant (though I heard that plumpettes don't put on as much). When did you start to show and stop just looking like you've put on weight? When did your tummies feel hard? Do you think second time around becuase your stomach has done it before it doesn't have to stretch so much and basically just fills out the flab that was left from the first time (sorry if TMI)? I don't know if I'm just doing that 100% worrying thing and I think it's worse because I'm not sure if I can feel the baby/flutterings. I wish this damn scan would come up - the 28th seems forever away. Any advice would be welcom

Ahhhh JW she's gorgeous...and yes, so much hair. I can so see how she's ready to move to the local hospital now. She really reminds me of how Iris looked - but when she was born - she went to just over 3lbs....tiny, but perfectly formed.

pwcbird Mmm...well I never felt much in the way of movements for AGES with both DC. I thought with Verity it'd be sooner....but it was well into 20+ weeks...and even by 30 weeks not lots. I was a size 10 with DD1 ( if only now!) but then with the arthritis and not being able to move about much I shot to a size 16 and then got preggie again...so tummy was already soft. And yes, it didn't go hard nearly as quickly....again...I think it was in the mid-20 weeks.

maximum1 yep, I second the others, i'd say a heartbeat at 5 weeks would be virtually impossible. I had a scan at 8 weeks and it was just visible - and the sonographer said it was often not visible till 9 weeks. So panic not

jw she is really filling out and stil off the ventilator what a clever LO you have.
PCWbird as another voluptuous member of this thread. I'm 28 weeks and hve put on 2 kg so far so I would say your weight gain is similar to mine and I did'nt really show at 21 weeks either. I have been sending myself nuts with worry over very little mevemt. In fact I have been in the hosp this morning being monitored cos I was starting to panic. All is fine phewww. From talking to the mw a lot of the movents you feel depends upon where the babay is and where the placenta is. mine is transverse at the moment with arms and legs pointing upwards and my placenta is at the top of my uterus so the kicks are going into the placenta. If you are really worried call the hospital and they will hopefully reassure you. The mw I saw this morning was really nice and said to call them anytime I was worried.
maximum congratulations as the other have said it is to early to detect a heart beat. try not to stress (I know it is like asking you not to breath! but try to relax if you can.

I was a size 16 when I got pregnant with Katherine and from my belly button down, it was still soft when I had her at 24 weeks although if I poked it, it felt harder beneath the blubber.

Now she's born, I'm back to just the blubber

jeanjeannie did Iris put on weight quite quickly? I had an idea floating in my head that from 34 onwards they really do pile the weight on very quickly even when they're already born.

johnworf I know what you mean about the blubber. I keep trying to stand up straight to see if it makes me look thinner!

I'm trying to remember Iris's weight gain. Well, she was born at 34 weeks (so over 10 on Katherine) but now they said it was 33 as they wrongly moved my due date I got an infection in placenta due to hind water leak over 10 weeks - so she was smaller than expected as when then did the c-sec they found the placenta had all but disappeared into gunge

She started piling on the pounds once she reached her due date - which was what we were told would happen. She ate constantly around that time and started legging it up to the mid centile...and beyond! Whoops! Yep - I'd say it was once she reached what would have been full term that it all kicked in - and she got much, much stronger.

Only thing she's got to show from being prem are two raised strawberry birth marks on her back and belly - which are fast disappearing. Apprently very common in prem girls. And a funny soft lump on her head which they think is a birth mark under the skin. She's also got tight skin around her eyes (like she's Japanese!) one more so than the other. We go to GOSH for this as she may need the skin releasing later on. All very common prem traits but nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Thank you all so much for your support and kind words! As you all say I will still worry but I am somewhat reassured now!

I am going away for a week so won't be around on here

but I will be back

jeanjeannie I don't suppose anyone gets off scot free from being prem but Iris sounds like she has been minimally affected by it. Didn't know about the eye condition - is this due to her prematurity as well? Not seen any birth marks so far yet but will keep my eyes peeled.

Katherine won't be transferred to my local hospital now (Bury) as they say they have no beds and won't for a long time (!) Obviously have a crystal ball at that hospital.....so we're going to the next local one which isn't too far away. However, it's a dump so not very happy but my boys were on this special care for their jaundice oh so many years ago so perhaps it'll be ok

So it's around their due date that they pile the fat on? She's gone to 2 hourly feeds now and they're going to try her with a bottle next week now she's 32 weeks tomorrow. She's still on mixed expressed breast milk and formula and the formula does seem to bulk her out a lot. Hoping she can handle a teat!

Morning johnworf sorry about the hospital - but you never know - the other one may surprise you. Mmmm how DO they know it'll be a long time?!

From what I remember - if there are no birth marks by now then she won't get them as they sort of appear about a week after birth and 'VROOM'...they're off..god I was shocked...they went huge literally overnight

And the jury is out over her eyes...they reckon it's a combo of prem and low water. Have to say that a woman at our NCT had her little one at 25 weeks in the US (on hols too) and 2.5 years on you'd never know she was prem.

Two hourly feeds is brill - that's where we were at 35 weeks - so by the time she gets to when Iris was born she'll probably around the same weight and feed times. We were on mixed breast milk and nutri-prem and I reckon the teat will cause no probs. Our SBCU changed to tommee tippee back to nature bottle - they're fab. I use them with Verity - who is more difficult to bottle feed with expressed milk than Iris ever was! Oh yes....and when you leave hospital you get all your special milk free....very pleasing Have nice cuddles with katherine this weekend !

Off to Costco...anyone want anything? May i recommend the very sticky Danish Pastries...

Thanks jeanjeannie. Lots of great advice there. Didn't know about the nutri prem being free!!! Wow. Bonnet de douche as Del Boy would say

I already have the CTN bottles and teats but I've looked at St Mary's and they don't use them (think they're cow and gate affiliated ones)...but as she's being moved, then maybe it's a whole new ball game there.

Katherine has stage 1 ROP (if you know what that is..I'm sure Iris would have been tested for it). Could be worse and she may have to have laser treatment at a later date.

Sounds like K is where Iris was (approx) so you probably have lots of hints and tips for me (and know what's to come too).

Funnily enough we're off to Costco later as well. I hate going on a Saturday though as it's always fit to bursting. Normally go mid week as we're on a trade card....but alas no time. I'm only going for a huge slice of pizza

Hey there everyone HELLOHA!

Just popped by to say a quick hello and to see how you are all doing especially Baby Katherine - OMG JW she is doing so well - BIG BIG HUGS to her xxxx

I will have a good old read backwards in the thread to see how everyone else is doing - how is Verity coming along JeanJeannie? Hope you are doing Ok and getting some sleep lol

We are doing Ok - had test results back from the 18 (!!) tubes of blood taken when I was in hospital. Everything fine nothing showed up at all which in a strange way is frustrating. The hospital has also lost Zac's test results - grrrrrrrr - I am trying to lose my anger.....albeit slowly.

Off for 'alternative' therapy this afternoon then straight on to a pool party for my niece who is 8 with 20 of her friends - am I mad???

Promise to pop in again soon - HUGE HUGS all round

BC xx

Lovely to hear from you babycakes glad all is coming along ok but awful about Zak's results. What a nightmare!

I am typing to you from my NEW wirelss laptop. I'm very excited - it hopefully means I don't have to trudge to the back bedroom anymore to say hello to you all. Hooray!

I have no idea where there is a costco near us? I have a gargantuan Tesco about 5 mins walk away so it's hard to make the effort to go elsewhere.

Hiya babycakes good to see you back on the thread dear Hoping that you are feeling chipper and keeping your chin (or in my case, chins) up.

Thanks for having a look at Princess Katherine...I'm sure her head is swelling from afar with nice things like that said about her

Yep, you're mad as the proverbial hatter going to an 8year old's party! Hope you have fun though (and have a glass or 3 of wine for me!)

JW xxxx

babycakes ...so good to hear from you and yes, what a nightmare about the results, hohw horrible and stressful. Well, I hope that the 'alternative therapy' went well....and as for the pool party........YEP, yer MAD! Although I have visions of you swanning around the pool in a kaftan, mules and floppy hat ala Jone Collins Come back and talk to us soon. I'm doing well thanks and Verity is a 'veritable' porker!!

Wot no Costco pwcbird...cor, i'd move if I were you. I think they're mainly north London, Birmingham and Manchester. We got there at 9.30 on the dot...it was all over very quickly...a smooth and easy way to part with over £200

I LOVE wireless...I'd never manage to chat, drink a cup of tea, amuse kiddies AND feed baby all at once without it!

Had a shocking sinus headache all day and my eyes hurt DP has taken Iris to the park but she's very shouty shouty today so he'll come back frazzled. Is it bedtime yet?!

oooh pwcbird you simply must hunt out a costco...I've just bought a HUGE lemon drizzle cake and it's honestly, the bestest in the world (what's left). :O

oh dear jeanjeannie sorry about the headache...sounds awful Sinus ones are very painful.

Asked about the nutri prem milk today. Apparently I'll get it on prescription (free) although the nurse said the the nutri prem 2 really puts weight on them (and makes their poo reek) so she recommended going on SMA or something like that. I dunno, seems a long way away so I'll have a think..........

Ok, off to eat my chinese, quaff some diet pepsi and have a lovely foot massage from my DH....BLISS!

johnworf once she gets to sleep (which she still will not do without me and a boob in her mouth ) she is pretty good last night she went down sometime between 11-12 (I fell asleep feeding while lying down so not sure) and did not wake up until nearly 5am it's just she feeds and feeds and feeds during the day Friend has just taken her as she will not settle tonight (wants me to go to bed wiuth her falls asleep every time I lye down with her wakes 5 mins after I get up ) she has fed on and off for the last 5 hours so no way she can be hungry.

Hi KAZ your poor boobs. I think you are doing the best thing sleeping with her and feeding her in bed while she is so little. With Ben I read too many books that said if you rock/snuggle/ them to sleep or letb them fall asleep on the boob just once you will still be rocking them to sleep when they are 4 - doom and gloom. I caused myself load of stress and sleepless nights over that one. This time I will master the art of feeding lying down.
PCW bird .... lemon drizzle my favorite yummmm. Just goggled costco there isn't one for miles and miles from here. I'll just have to make one I suppose.

a cake that is not a costco!!!

Hello everyone. Get ready for a bit of irony. I haven't been around for the last few weeks (about seven or eight I think) because the authorities here blocked the site - don't ask me why - could be all the talk about boobs. Anyway, I've been keeping up through a proxy server which allowed me to read but not post, so thanks to those who asked where I was. I was sitting there shouting "here I am"!!

I had so much to say to everyone I wrote little notes in the expectation that I would be able to post again some time. And so I can, but I don't have my notes and everything has flown out of my head, and here's why.

I went into premature labour on 10th July but didn't know I was in labour - long story that I still can't face recounting because it was so scary. After two or three miserable hours in a Chinese hospital, I was evacuated to Hong Kong and arrived in the nick of time to give birth to our daughter at 9.10 am at 27 weeks plus 6. She weighed 1.14 kg and I heard her cry briefly before they whipped her away to intubate her.

In the week or so since her arrival, the news has been so far so good. She came off the ventilator and went onto the cpap after two days, has had a brain scan which showed no sign of a bleed, and after a blip with her bowel, is now being fed 2ml formula every hour - we've yet to see how well she tolerates that amount.

We're in a hotel at the moment but move into a flat on Tuesday (back in China overnight tomorrow as all the hotels are booked up for the equestrian olympic events which are happening in Sha Tin which is where we are). My husband's company are being great and are taking care of everything.

I'm scared stupid and there have been a lot of tears and then feel ashamed of myself because I've read how brave you've been jw. Seriously, you seem so strong. Hints and tips please. Also jw want to say thanks for your posts - they've sort of prepared me in a way I just wouldn't have been. I'm glad to be able to post here in HK. My husband's been really great but we're very much on our own here so MN will be great company.

That's all for now - this post is long enough and have to go and express the few drops of milk that are coming out. I'm assured that I still have time for my milk to come and am seeing breastfeeding expert on Tuesday.

Will come back soon and try to remember all the things I wanted to say.

Btw, baby still has no name. We're close but not quite there.

Happy to be back.

Oh mrsjupiter how wonderful to hear from you and to hear your news. Many many congratulations at the birth of your little girl. Regardless of what you say you have been very brave during such circumstances (I'm sure JW will be able to help you much better about this) and send you many many ((((hugs)))) and remember you can post anytime - we always want to hear from you. xx

Well hellooooooooo mrsjupiter and welcome to un-named bubs!

Naturally if you feel like a chat with me about what's going on in your world then that's fine. It's perhaps already happened in my world already so I might be able to give you my take on it

Well she's a good weight and they've probably already told you that having a girl is in her favour as they do better than boys.

Great news about being off the ventilator and on to CPAP. Katherine is currently off CPAP and on nasal prongs with very little oxygen for 4 hours and on CPAP for 12 at the moment. But, it's all a roller coaster this time in intensive care as no doubt you've already found out

Yep, some days you come home elated just becuase she's done something really small like increased her feeds and others you're in the depths of despair cos the nurse has said she's vomited her feed back. It does get easier and you have the advantage that she is older at almost 28 weeks that her lungs won't be as bad as Katherine's were.

Keep crying if you have to and let it out. Talk to your OH if you're worried (and you will be my dear) and keep going each day cos you have to.....she needs you cos you're her mummy

Hello MrsJupiter fantastic to hear from you, sorry to hear about your early delivery but fingers crossed your LO will progress well. My knowledge of premature bith is totally based on what JW has told us bu it sounds like she is strong and I'm sure the medical care in HK is really up to date.
How bizzare mumsnets being blocked, must be the run up to the Olympics or something If you can get to facebook I'm on it (helly whitfield) and so is JJ, JW and PCWbird and I think KAZ. Although i think you will be in HK for a while.
I have had a lovely day today making a start on destroying our spare room so we can reconstruct it and get a cot in. The horrid wardrobes have gone and so have most of the polystyrene ceiling tiles and textured wall papaer LOVLEY!