Blooming Bellies!

[sunrisesister]

Come on, own up! :)

28 weeks here with #4, due NYE.. how about you?

[Stardust]

I wish....
you sound so on top of the world SS! How is baby going?

[SpringMumma]

Ha, I wish too. Is it okay if I live vicariously through you SS? Hope it's all going well!

[melchpeppi]

22wks here with a mystery baby!!!

SS, my DS was born on NYE!!!! A great day for a birthday!

[Merlion]

i'm not pg but hope to be next year but like checking everyone's progress

[lorzilee]

20wks here. Off for the big ultrasound tomorrow.....

[SpringMumma]

OOOh, are you finding out the sex lorzilee?

I'm so freaking clucky at the moment it's unbelievable! I'm even craving breastfeeding and I never really enjoyed it that much before. But no babies for me for at least 5.5 years - it can be my reward for finishing uni! :2lol

Hope all you lovely mummas are doing well!

[sunrisesister]

oooh excitement! babies everywhere :)

just had a meeting with mw, 30 weeks this week.. getting really excited and impatient here. but at the same time, there is so much to do!

NYE you say.. might have to put some champers on ice that day for two reasons ;)

[SeaStar]

lurking and clucking!!

[lorzilee]

And it is.......


A SURPRISE! I love surprises, so although my husband wanted to find out, I got my way :smile

The ultrasound went well, which is a relief as we have a kidney problem in our family that is picked up at this ultrasound. And so far, a very small head like my first. Gotta love that!

[emd]

Lorzilee, glad there's no kidney problems. So you'll have to think up both boy and girl names! Hope it's fun for you both.

I'm just lurking and wishing. No babies for me unless I get the Minister for Household Finance very drunk, and the shop is doing well enough to employ full time staff (I'm a long way off that).

[Merlion]

well i'm lurking here too. AF hasn't arrived and since i relied on the red tent i have no idea if i'm overdue or not. Not thinking if i am or not otherwise i will be dissapointed. DH doesn't want another baby so i will just clucky around blooming bellies

[sunrisesister]

I just realised my ttc/preg/homebirth planning thread was lost in the move.. WAAAAAAH! :(

[chooky]

YES, 20 weeks now... just found out we're having a boy! (we have a DD 20 months)

[chooky]

Hugs Merlion.... my DH only wants two - I would like to at least consider three :(

[sunrisesister]

ooooh congrats chooky! :) a boy is a joy!

Am nearing the finish line, and my belly is now 40cm, eek! i will post a new pics sometime soon :) xx

[chooky]

Ok well I'm 33 weeks now... on the countdown. Do we have a few more preggie bellies around now?

[Anju]

Guess I should write in here hey?

[chooky]

Yep!

[chooky]

ok so this is my belly at 34 weeks. I've only put on 7kgs - it must be all belly:2lol

439

[lizlea]

looking good! My Katie was born at 34 weeks!

[chooky]

Well I'm sure this baby wants out... he has his head right down in my pelvis and I have lots of "false alarms" to pee! I'm not totally organised yet and I have Z's birthday party next weekend so hopefully he will wait a bit longer (although I'd love it if he was 1-3 weeks early as I'm terribly impatient!)

[Ayla]

15wks with #2, due in spring and planning another homebirth :)

[Phoenix]

Congratulations Ayla! How exciting for you. :heart

[chooky]

congrats Ayla!

[~kaoss~]

Ok, gonna jump in..... not that I'm feeling very "blooming"

So I'm expecting a Nov babe :)Baby #4 for us.

As much I would love to say we are excited, I am feeling as sick as a dog 24/7 , with:beurk included. Whoever called it morning sickness is a MORON!!!! It is taking us away from celebrating, and put us into survival mode until I feel better. Then I expect we'll be very excited :)

But my hubby is being a friggin champ, really picking up the slack. I particularly can't stand the smell of food in the evening without gagging and throwing up, so he's been doing all the dinners and kids to bed. Ayla, I had a quick read of your blog and sorry to hear you've been doing it tough without your DH - that must be so hard!

I hope to be planning a homebirth. I've talked to a MW but all is dependent on the legislation side of things. Otherwise I've got my name in the ballot for the birth centre, where I'll have my midwife from my first birth, and the midwife who would have otherwise done my homebirth. So while obviously my first preference is home, if it can't be, I'll be ok with the alternative.

So, heres to getting through the first trimester, and looking forward to 12 weeks + :)

[Aine]

congrats to the new mums to be ... how very lucky you are

[chooky]

we're getting quite a little crowd in here now!

Now that I'm getting to the last few weeks I want to reflect on this pregnancy and really enjoy it. The first 9 weeks were really tough emotionally - everything sucked and I was SOOOO TIRED - unbelievably tired, tired enough to say I couldn't go thru it again. Had quite a clash with MIL (who I have a great relationship with normally) but we worked it out after the cloud lifted.

When the sun came out things really improved... it has been a walk in the park as far as pregnancies go - plenty of energy, no preg related sickness and no other complications. DH has been the best ever - really making life easier for me and DD (2yo) has been great too. Despite BF throughout the entire pregnancy I've had only minimal breast tenderness and only a few days of being 'grossed out' by her feeding. She only feeds from one side and now it seems I have colostrum from the other boob and milk in the boob she likes.

I'm really looking forward to meeting my little man

[chooky]

another photo - 35 weeks today445

[Phoenix]

Gorgeous!

[Nyree]

So, despite how "round" DD tells me my belly is, I'm only 5 weeks along (from LMP, 4 weeks by ov date), so it will be a while before I post any pics, but I am getting a little excited by the thought :)

[spiralgirl]

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!! how did i miss that you are pregnant Ny?!?!?!?!?!?!??! congrats wonderful woman!!!!!!!

[Nyree]

Thanks T :)

Only got the +ve today (deets in the Chat thread)

How are you going with yours?

[spiralgirl]

my blood test is monday.....im really uncertain of what it will be....i have been getting some big YOU ARE NOT PREGNANT signs from my body, but some others that are sooo familiar from my 2ww when i actually was pregnant....i am having almost constant aching in my left ovary which i think is where the egg came from that they fertilised....I dont know why i think that i just do....little T is convinced that there is a baby girl in there.... and shes growing.....im not sure, I havent had the feeling that the emby has gone that i have had every other time that IVF has failed - each time that happened, a few days after transfer I woke up really upset and unable to sense the presence of the baby anymore, I dont know if that hasnt happened this time though simply because I have been so disconnected this time, ive been much calmer this time and not as paniced about everything, but also more ho hum about the whole thing, unable to invest the energy anymore...self protection.....

anyway monday is d day and I will know then....so its just a matter of waiting now....

[Nyree]

Embracing you from afar :heart

[Blossomtime]

:hyper:yipi Brilliant news, Ny!! I'm sooooo excited for you!!


Crossing fingers and toes for you Spiralgirl. x

[mrs fox]

Congrats Ny...

T - wishing u luck on monday....will be thinking of u!

[battlecrumpet]

Congrats Ny and everyone else in here! Crossed fingers for you SG.

I'll be 19 weeks preg tomorrow, due early Sept. Planning a homebirth with a midwife, who's been pretty good so far! Have been soooo tired but can't get a full nights sleep, otherwise things are going well.
Belly is starting to get pretty obvious now. I'm happy to be preg but findiing it a bit hard to bond to this bubba, so have to work on that.

[Phoenix]

Congratulations Nik! I hope you enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. I hope bonding isn't too hard for you, but it is different for different pregnancies. xx

[chooky]

Congrats Ny... Fingers crossed SG... and hope you get a good nights sleep Nik!

I am now past the 37 week mark... so just waiting now. After the drama with the cardiologist we are back to normal now and expecting a natural birth. Lots of BH contractions and pelvic pressure. Bubs is head down in the OA position (DD was posterior so I've been very conscious of position).

DD is breastfeeding happily - no signs of stopping due to low supply.

I getting really impatient!

[battlecrumpet]

37 weeks....that's so exciting Chooky! :)

[chooky]

Yeah and I love knowing it could happen any time now :)

[~kaoss~]

I've been so out of the loop (I've been in bed for 5 days with bloody morning sickness).

CONGRATS Ny! You and I will won't be so far apart.

I'm 10 weeks today, was in hosp in the weekend for rehyrdration, now on Zofran for the morning sickness. The Joys of Pregnancy. I'm really hoping I perk up after the 1st trimester is over, this is my last pregnancy and I want to enjoy it!

And very exciting chooky!

[Kathryn]

Just peeking my head in here. I got 2 lines on the weekend. :gasp

Very excited to be welcoming another little one sometime before Christmas but am keeping it on the downlow for now so please don't mention on FB yet!

Huge congrats again Ny. We should be pretty close. :)
Hope you feel better soon Kara. You've been in my thoughts. :flowers:

[~kaoss~]

WOOOHOOO!!!! Congrats Kathryn.... (promise no facebook) :hyper:hyper:hyper

This is becoming quite the crowded thread then! Party!

I'm feeling much better after a really shit last week and weekend. After way to much puking and not enough eating and drinking, I was in hosp for rehydration on a Sat night (being in a public emergency dep on a Sat night is quite entertaining...). GP appt yesterday to see if we could develop a new plan to tackle the shit-ness and she prescribed Zofran, which while expensive, seems to be my saving grace. I'm even going to make dinner tonight (haven't done that for 5 weeks).

So feeling much more positive and excited about welcoming a baby, which is better than down in the dumps, thinking what the hell am I doing (which was my attitude last week).

[spiralgirl]

Kaoss - Im so thrilled that you are feeling so much better

Kathryn - congrats xxxx

[cef77]

Wow, is there somethig in the water or what!!!

Congrats Kathryn!
Kara, I will drop in those Zofran tomorrow arvo :)

[chooky]

wow its getting busy in here! Congrats K

[Phoenix]

Oh how very exciting!! So many lovely pregnant woman! I feel like the clucky aunty!! :)

[SpringMumma]

Congrats everyone!! Looking forward to following everyone on their journeys.

[Nyree]

Thanks for the baby dust, Kara :D Glad you're starting to feel a little better :yes

And Congrats Kathryn! It's going to be a busy start to summer!!!

I have an IRL friend who's 6 weeks ahead of me, so it's lovely to be able to share similar stages with her, as well as those of you here :) Just thinking she & I will probably be using the same birthing pool, which is pretty cool - just as long as it's not at the same time ;). We were worried for a while there when our cycles were in synch for a couple of months.

I'm still waiting for the chucking to kick in. Today, I'm at the "not really all that interested in food" and "ewww, look at all that food on the supermarket shelves" stage. Cramps have settled right down & the boobs are achey & growing. The main thing is the tiredness. I've been going to bed earlier (i.e. before midnight), but waking up between 3.30-5.00am, not able to get to sleep for 2-3 hours, if at all. I vaguely remember the same thing happening with DD. Does the body not realise I don't need training for sleepless nights just yet? :blink

But still - all good signs, I guess :D

[Hailstorm]

Wowsers it's an IP belly fest in here!!! Awesome news for the newly preggers...I feel the same as Phoenix just call me Lady Clucksalot :rofl

Hoping the MS buggers right off for you soon Kara

(HUGS) and belly whispers all round

[~Mel~]

Another one joining in here. I am nearly 11 weeks along due somewhere early November. Not eating much, far more ikky this time than with DS so perhaps a girl. Havent begun my way yet to finding a midwife (must start that v.soon), no testing done thus far not even a poas test!

Congrats to all who are on the journey:)

[Hailstorm]

Congrats Mel!!!

[battlecrumpet]

Congrats Kara and Kathryn and Mel! (...and anyone else that I've missed....) :)

[Blossomtime]

T
I have an IRL friend who's 6 weeks ahead of me, so it's lovely to be able to share similar stages with her, as well as those of you here :) Just thinking she & I will probably be using the same birthing pool, which is pretty cool - just as long as it's not at the same time ;). We were worried for a while there when our cycles were in synch for a couple of months.

The main thing is the tiredness.

It is pretty cool, huh?

Would you like us to come down and hang with B one day so you can have a snooze?

[Nyree]

Would you like us to come down and hang with B one day so you can have a snooze?

Of course you're welcome for a visit any time, but maybe the girls can keep each other amused & we can both have a snooze :2lol

I was a bit better today - we didn't have to leave the house :D I even managed to tackle a large chunk of Mt Foldmore & had a big clothes cull at the same time. Starting to feel a bit yucky now, so should be heading to bed very shortly. I'm just trying to tackle a chunk of the mess each day so that it gets sorted before I feel worse. As long as I pace myself & rest when I have to, it's all good.

And conversely, let me know if you need a break some time & I'll bring up B to keep the girls busy :)

I've contacted a couple of midwives already, so hopefully I'll have a better idea soon of what's happening in that regard. I've also ordered some small/one size MCN's as we didn't use them with B until she was about a year old.

And congrats Mel!!!

[Blossomtime]

Hey Ny, I'm thinking of doing this (http://janehardwickecollings-moonsong.blogspot.com/search/label/Pregnancy%20-%20The%20Inner%20Journey%20Workshop) workshop. Want to look into it with me?

I'm feeling less tired lately, so I'm seriously happy to come help with the snooze thing. We can help each other :)

[Nyree]

Hmmmmm....will depend on D taking the time off, but it sounds great

[Kathryn]

Thanks for the congratulations everyone. :heart

I've been feeling pretty bloated and nauseous, but nothing too bad. Was pretty horrified last night to realise my ankles were swollen already so spent all evening massaging my legs, stretching and trying to get things moving. Unfortunately, it looks like this pregnancy will be the same as the last and I'll find myself retaining way too much water and blowing up like a balloon. I'm surprised it's starting so early though. I guess it's a side-effect of full time desk work. Sitting here this morning my ankles are tingling already. Not good 30 mins into the day. Difficult to keep them elevated under a desk though.

Suppose I should make an appt with the doc soon. There were some PCOS-related blood tests and things she ordered for me but I forgot about (yeah, I know) so I should go and see whether they are still necessary. And I'll have to start the process of figuring out care options.

Hope everyone else is doing well. x

[Blossomtime]

Congratulations Kathryn :)

I found that sipping nettle tea during the day helped amazingly with water retention. Not the yummiest, but great for moving fluids on and for your iron stores too :)

[Nyree]

Hey Bloss - D's going to see if he can get those days off (the Friday is his RDO, anyway), so it might be a go'er :)

[Blossomtime]

Ooohhhh.... exciting! I'm going to email her for more info and see what the three days will be like in a little more detail. It sounds like they do a bit of everything, yoga, art, talking etc...

[Ethereal]

Ohhhh I'm an aunty clucksalot too :laugh.

Congrats everyone :heart and wowsers Chooky you look Beeee-autiful!!

[chooky]

Thanks Aleza :)

I'm feeling great... baby due soon now but I'm feeling like im not that preggas atm. DH and I had a "naughty night away" last night at a hotel while MIL looked after Z - my first night ever without her and she went really well with no separation issues at all (I was the only one who had separation anxiety!)

The only symptoms I'm getting are ever increasing BHs and now it feels like bub is poking my cervix which feels really yukky!

[battlecrumpet]

Enjoy your "naughty nights away" while you can!!
Glad it's not too uncomfortable for you apart from bubba poking your cervix.

Mine has started kicking around a lot more, or a lot more obviously, over the last few days which is really sweet. And I'm starting collecting "stuff" ie newborn cloth nappies, and thinking about a sling though it's really hard to decide! And DS1 is fascinated with the little bit of colostrum that I've started to make.

[chooky]

Have fun collecting Nik... thats the best part of pregnancy I think!

What other preparations has everyone been up to?

I have been cleaning house and getting the rocker etc ready - its not the nesting instinct as i totally don't feel like doing it! Today I feel a bit over it as I have sore shoulders and tummy muscles - feeling a bit dreary and wishing labour would hurry up. Maybe DH and I overdid it friday night :)

[Ethereal]

Or maybe Chooky it's the calm before ;). Listen to your instinct to take it easy :yes :heart.

[chooky]

Thanks A... I just had a nanna nap and feel HEAPS better

[Ethereal]

Lovely!! :D I am a big fan of nanna naps :heart

[Nyree]

Bleeding :crying

[~kaoss~]

NOOOOOOOO!!!! could it just be a normal bleed or is it really sinister..... oh, thinking of you Ny!

[Ethereal]

:heart Oh hon :heart

[Karena]

:heart :heart Ny ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) Hon

[Kathryn]

Thinking of you Ny. Hoping for the best. :heart
Huge hugs hon. x

[battlecrumpet]

Oh shit Ny. Love to you and hope everything turns out OK.

[Hailstorm]

((HUGS)) Ny, will you be getting a scan to see how everthing is? or just wait and see?

:realbighug:

[Nyree]

just waiting for now

[chooky]

Oh no Ny, hope it ends up ok

[kebeni]

Thinking of you Nyree

[Blossomtime]

:grouphug Ny. Here if you need anything, love. x

[Nyree]

Had bloods taken this morning, but boobs have gone back to 'normal' size & not much else screaming "pregnant". Will go back for more bloods Friday to see if the levels change.

[Kali]

I have been thinking of you Ny! Lack of preggo symptoms really sucks. Hugs, big, big hugs xxx

[Nyree]

Thanks S :heart

[Hailstorm]

Oh Darlin, I'm sending a gazillion sticky icky vibes to you I hope that everything is ok :realbighug:

[Nyree]

Mwah Kyls

[lizlea]

I keep coming back to this thread hoping for positive news. We are all waiting with you Ny.

[Ethereal]

I keep coming back to this thread hoping for positive news. We are all waiting with you Ny.


I agree 120% :heart :heart :heart

[Kali]

Yep, me too, here and on FB.

[~kaoss~]

Yeah, I've been thinking of you heaps too Ny, and hoping that all is well and it's just a scare....

[Phoenix]

I have been positive news stalking as well Ny. You have my thoughts, love and strength. xx I hope Friday brings higher levels.

[Nyree]

I actually thought I'd started to labour earlier tonight. Pain got worse, noticed my breathing was labour-like, had to get on all 4's & keep rocking - same thing I had to do when I was having Bri. Lasted about an hour & a half, but has settled now. I'd tried feeling my cervix to see if it felt open or closed, so that might have triggered it. I think I'll leave well alone for now.

[Nyree]

3 months on & I'm baaaaaaaack :)

EDD 5th April. DD's birthday - 7th April. Eeeeek!

[Aine]

woo hoo... same as willow and Zaan birthdays 15 days apart EED for Zaan was 28th willow's bday 23

[Nyree]

But I'll be leaving already. That's the last time I'll believe my body :(

[Hailstorm]

Oh Ny :crying :realbighug:

[Joey]

Word seem inadequate so I'll just send big hugs Ny xxx

[Kali]

Oh far out! that is soooo unfair!

[mrs fox]

oh Ny.....feel free to find a tree and scream at it......get it out.
So sorry!

[chaos]

:( sending {{hugs}} here too

[Anju]

Oh gosh Ive been so selfish, I had no idea about any of this and was so wrapped up in my own everything. Im so sorry for your news Ny. Gee, words on a forum seem so inadequate, huge hugs. xxx

[Madi]

Well, I'm 6 weeks now. No morning sickness yet really, just the odd bit of nausea here and there. My back is so sore atm and I have yucky crampy feelings - which I was freaking out about this morning, until DH said that I had that the last two times and freaked out about it then too. I have no memory of that, but I think I'll trust him. :2lol

[Astra]

I have been doing the same thing lately, freaking out about little things and DH reminding me that I had them last time. It's funny how you forget. Halfway through now and looking forward to uni finishing so I can just enjoy being pregnant. Another 3 months to go though.

[Danu]

I'm a little over 18 weeks with my fifth baby. I'm planning another homebirth for March and I am really excited about giving birth again. Last baby was freebirthed, a choice my body and baby largely made. Time will tell if the midwife makes this birth or not.

I've ordered a copy of Orgasmic Birth. Anyone read it? I can relate to the idea of birth being that way. Not necessarily resulting in orgasms, but intimate and deeply spiritual.

[Merlion]

i'm here approx 6 weeks... not sure how i feel.... i had an emerg c-sect with J, tried a VBAC with D but landed up with a positive c-section with D affter 30 hours with labour so this one is something i have to really think about.

[boy wrangler]

I'm here too, almost 8 weeks. Sounds like we're in similar boats Merlion. I had a medically planned caesar with E, then an emergency caesar after 18hr labour with A. I'm not sure I have it in me (or the support around me) to attempt a VBA2C so I think I'll be booking in. I'm not really happy about it but I can't see any other way at this point :(

[Merlion]

I know that feeling BW. I had a great doula with D but unfortunately lost touch with her and i heard from a mutual friend she's not doing anymore doula work anymore as she was a doula-in-training when she was my doula with D. It makes me so sad as I really enjoyed going on a learning curve with her...

[boy wrangler]

I too had a great, amazing doula with A, but we've moved since his birth and we're now living in a small regional town and the maternity hospital is at the next town and I don't think they are super supportive of VBACs, let alone VBA2Cs. I know of one fabulous homebirth midwife that is an hour away, but there is no way DH would go for a home birth and I'm not super comfortable with it either after E's medical needs after his birth and A's caesar.

[SpringMumma]

I'm here too! 'Bout 7 weeks or so...not much happening. Boobs have gotten big, have started having arvo naps (including at work!), get waves of nausea but nothing too bad. Have booked into the BC and will hopefully have the same midwife as last time.

Hope you both have empowering, beautiful births whichever way you choose to give birth.

[Merlion]

I know DH doesn't want me to try for a VBAC again but to be absolutely honest i'm scared to try for another VBAC as the problems i had with D. Sometimes i feel i'm imagining if i'm pregnant eventhough both POAS were positive but i'm still getting slight cramping but no blood. Haven't told our parents as my parents are away and don't get back till tonight and haven't seen in-laws or spoken to them in ac ouple of weeks.

[michelle_j_r]

Wonderfully exciting to have so many IP bellies to rub. X

[lizlea]

congrats to you both!

[~kaoss~]

Congrats to new belly babe carriers.

I am now 38wks, not much longer for me :) I've been preparing my birth space today, my MW dropped around birth equipment, including a birth stool about two weeks ago and walking past it make it all very real. Getting excited, but feeling like I've got more tidying/sorting/decluttering/nesting to do before I'm really ready for bub to come. If I can get it done, then after she arrives, we can relax a little as a family, rather than continuing to prepare our house to accommodate so many little people :)

[cherish]

you must be getting close K.. with all the nesting going on.. the henna is still on my hand- everyone comments- I hope yours lasts for your birth (draw over it with texta!!) best wishes for those on the the preg journey- you'll find the best way!!

[SpringMumma]

How exciting K! I often wonder how you're doing, lovely to read your update.

I'm tired, emotional and grumpy today. Everything DH says and does annoys me - the poor guy isn't doing anything wrong, but he's just driving me insane! All I want to do is cry but I can't 'cos I'm at work. Hmm, maybe I'll go home after lunch...

And I'm waiting for the hormones to really kick in so that my hair stops shedding (I shed huge amounts of hair daily) - I love the pregnant glossy hair.

How's everyone else travelling?

[Merlion]

Nauseated in the morning fine in the avro till just after 9pm at night and then nauseas till i lie down to go to bed between 11-12 and i suffer seriously from insomnia. Otherwise the shock is still sinking in

[~kaoss~]

Just popping in to let everyone know our little girl (yet to be named) was born last night, at home into water after a pretty whirl-wind labour. She has had a very calm day and is just gorgeous :)

[boy wrangler]

Congrats K and welcome little one! Can't wait to hear more when you're ready!!! Enjoy all the newborn snuggles and milky goodness! xx

[Merlion]

Congratulations K.

Feeling pretty nauseas all the time and feeling weird cramping waking up every morning wiping and checking to see if there's blood. But no cramping today and I feel like i have a little baby bump as some of my clothes don't fit me. Went to look at some clothes for myself yesterday as my tops are beginning to get a little bit tight around the boobs as my boobs

[mamma]

congrats kaoss!

and to the newly pregnant mummas

[SpringMumma]

Congrats Kaoss, thanks for popping in to let us know! Enjoy the newborn snuggles and milky goodness!!

I have my first cold of the pregnancy. Because I'm allergic to paracetamol there's not much I can take to help, so I'm kind of just roughing it out in bed today. I've also got an ear infection, so at some point today need to find the energy to go to the chemist and get some antibiotics. Blah, poor me! On the plus side, my morning sickness has disappeared since I got the cold. My boobs have got even more massive too, which is a bit of fun!

[Merlion]

i'm so upset currently. G asked me last night are u sure do you want this baby. He hasn't said much about this pregnancy and has been very quiet about it actually. He went away the day after i found out about this baby and now he's come out with this. He saying am i sure i'm in physical condition to have this baby. I know i'm a bit overweight but i'm the same weight i was when i fell pregnant with D. I'm so confused and upset now. I haven't spoken to G since he said that last night i'm absolutely devasted at his sudden change of mind

[Stardust]

Oh Merlion, I'm sorry. Maybe he's just taking a little time to get used to it? Was he ok when you first told him?
HUGE hugs to you. xxxx

[Merlion]

He was in a bit of a shock. I think its sinking in now after being away after a week away after i told him. I'm thiking of getting in touch with my bestie and see if i can go and stay with her tonight as i just need some time out for a day. Hopefully I can get in touch with her tonight as I really need some time to myself

[Stardust]

I can completely understand that. I hope you can get some nurturing.

[Merlion]

Can't get in touch with her tonight might see if i can get in touch with another friend and see if i can go and see a movie with another friend. Can't really go and stay with my parents as my nana is not in good shape after the fall she had earlier this week and mum staying there. Might see if they need me to go stay with her tomorrow night while my uncle is playing in the band...

[Stardust]

You have had a huge week. Is a hotel with room service an option? But you need company. Would your other friend do that with you?? Sounds like a good idea to see about your nanna's tomorrow night ((HUGS))

[Merlion]

Maybe next week is a possible hotel with room service got too much going on this weekend.... Need to be home during the day... My other friend's hubby is not in a good place. He has a brain tumor which 95% has been removed but the other 5% can't be removed as it might either kill him or make him a quadreplgic or brain dead so a night out for her might be a good idea

[Stardust]

Oh that's terrible. Yes, sounds like you could both do with some decent pampering.

[boy wrangler]

oh dear. I hope you get a chance to chill for a bit. Hopefully DH will come around soon. xx

[Merlion]

I stayed home last night and we actually had good long talk. I think now G has finally happy about this pregnancy. He was just bit worried as he knows that i'm not as fit as I was with the other two pregnancies. I think i'm going to go do some pregnancy exercises as I know if I don't know if my body can handle this pregnancy. So bring on the rest of this pregnancy

[Stardust]

Glad you got it sorted :)

[Merlion]

Today once the kdis were in bed we talked some more and I can now understand his concerns. He said that he's really worried my body won't be able to handle the stress of another baby. Admittely I'm concerned too as I know my body is not in its optimal healthy condition it was when I had Jess and Dan. Nearly 4 years after D I'm really out of shape (but the same weight as I was when I fell pregnant with D) I have a plate in my leg from my broken leg 2 years ago. I'm going to go see the dr to see if I can to the optimal healthy self to carry this baby.

Also G mentioned that the new project he's working on will be really in full ball in June just in time for "Star" appearance. It means that he could be away for days at a time. I can understand the his worry as I'm worried too. With J he managed to take 3 months off and work from home, with D he handed his resignation a week before D was born and worked many hours to catch up with all the work before he finished at his old job and started his new job a month later. I was relying on my parents heaps and actually stayed with my parents for nearly 2 weeks before we moved back home to get our little family inot some kind of routine. This time around I really don't know what will happen as J will be at school full time and D will be at school two full days too and they live 1/2 an hour away from the school. I guess we will see what happens. It might be the case my mum comes stay with us for a week or so to give me a hand. Just playing it by ear.

"star" has been treating well I guess nausea still but no vommitting or anything this week. But terrible back ache which I have had for the last week or so but I don't know what's this is caused by. My tendonitis in my shoulder is giving me a few problems today. Just over 6 1/2 weeks along now and insomnia is getting worst though.

[boy wrangler]

glad you guys have had a big chat, I can understand why he's concerned too but you will be fine and you'll be able to cope once Star has arrived. It'll just be an adjustment process I suppose.

I've been feeling a bit bleurgh, not chucking though so that is a plus. I'm hungry and feel like eating, so then eat and feel even worse. I'm so so so tired but have been a lazy mummy and putting the tele on for E when Archie is asleep so I can have a lie down for 3o minutes or so. I think I've been feeling movement too, but am 9 weeks so not sure if I'm just imagining it! :2lol

We thinking about the logisitics of what we're going to do about the bub's arrival. The hosp is 45 minutes away, and mum and dad are 3.5 hours away! I think they're going to come up while I'm in hospy then go home again and DH will take a few weeks off work. Then they'll (or mum at least) will come up for a couple of weeks once DH goes back to work so I should have someone with me for 4 or 5 weeks. I'm not sure what we'll do with driving after that for E to get to Kindy, but I'm sure we'll work some thing out.

[jodiemiller]

Wonderful! Congratulations K and S! Happy families!

[Merlion]

Now to add to my insomnia is my drippy nose, blocked throat, swollen glands, blocked ears x3. Meaning Jess, Dan and myself are all sick. Great yeah for me.... the only one that's not sick is G but he's working really long hours this week. Went to see my dr today and got an appointment to see my obestrician i had when i was pregnant with D really excited about that....

[Merlion]

I'm curious can you get masitis without breastfeeding but pregnant. Mine right boob is on fire and really really sore like when i had masitisits when i was still feeding D. He hasn't had a feed in 9 months or so but being just over 8 weeks pregnant confuses me.

[Astra]

Yes, unfortunately it's possible :(

[Stardust]

Can you express a bit to help with it? Lots of heat on it too. And if you can homeopathic phytolacca is the only thing that ever worked for me. Poor you, mastitis is horrid.

[Merlion]

i tried to express but nothing came out but using the heat pack really helped. Feeling a bit better and the pain is alot less tahnk god...

[boy wrangler]

merlion, I'm assuming it didn't turn into mastitis? I hope so!

I had my first appointment with my new obstetrician this afternoon and oh my god, he is amazing! I hope he's this good for the rest of the pregnancy and delivery! He was soooo supportive of breastfeeding through pregnancy/tandem feeding and he (seriously) asked how I felt when I said A had just self-weaned. He was really kind about my two birth stories, he really listened when I said I didn't want to book in super early. He said they routinely do them at 39 weeks now, but he doesn't mind if we wait til closer to 40, maybe even a couple of days either side, so I'll be pushing for later rather than sooner! He does want to make the booking at 34 weeks though, so hopefully he'll say the same then!

[Stardust]

That's awesome BW. I wish they were all like him!

[Merlion]

Thank god it wasn't masitis but I had a bad nose bleed this morning feeling absolutely terrible since then. But "star" is going fine. Will be finally meeting my new ob next week as the one who delivered D was fully booked for June and July and so were 3 other's I called. So it will be three diffrrent Ob and three different hospitals i have had my babies in. having my frist scan 3 days after my birthday so just waiting to see if my dream its true about me having twins but we will see.

[Stardust]

I love that name 'star' Merlion. Tis beautiful.

[Merlion]

Well when to see my dr today and got back my results from all the blood tests and everything came back normal except my urine tests. Unfortunately it had +++ protein in it. 8 weeks in i already have +++ protein. Great just what i needed to hear. He has sent me to have the Gestational Diabetes test done tomorrow. Hope to god its not the case. i had this problem with Jess but I was reading up and talked to dr friend and he said due to the fact they already found out when I was pregnatn with D that my body takes longer to break down sugars that I probably could manage it by cutting down my sugars and diet modification. What I got of the internet:
Type A1: abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) but normal blood glucose levels during fasting and 2 hours after meals; diet modification is sufficient to control glucose levels
I noticed that with D that I hadn't a problem with any protein in my urine but what i remember that before my blood tests i had been eating lollies with the kids beforehand. I'm hoping this is the case as I ddon't really want to do insulin injections.

Otherwise feel pretty good 9weeks 4 days today and feel pretty good except get very tired very easily. Did all my christmas shopping on Friday so i'm so happy

[SpringMumma]

Did you get your GD test results back Merlion? I hope everything's going well for you now.

Well, we had our ultrasound last week. I declined to have the NT test done, so it really was just a very quick peak at the baby, counting all limbs etc. DH said "I think it looks like the girls" at which point I cracked up (seriously, it looks like a foetus) and the sonographer said she declined to comment about that :2lol. The u/sound also confirmed my dates for me (I know it was a really late ovulation, therefore the LMP date would be incorrect).

Oh, also got the call from the BC on Thursday - I have the same midwife as I did with DD2, yay! Talk about continuity of care :2lol.

And, I think I've felt a few little kicks. I know it's early, but it's possible isn't it? I'm 13/14 weeks now, and every now and then there's a *boot* in my guts. Makes me smile (even if it's just gas, it still makes me smile :2lol).

[boy wrangler]

:2lol looks like the girls! So funny! But it is amazing what they can see. We had to have a few realy late scans with E and they told us that he was going to have a mullet and a cleft chin (like DH) and a nose like mine! All true!

Good news about the midwife! that's great. I could feel lots of movements really early, like 9ish weeks, and I think it was because my utereus was right down in my pelvic bone and growing (retroverted). I felt one really big massive movement and then didn't feel any again until just this week, so it has been freaking me out a bit but I think my uterus flipped around and now has more room, out of my pelvic bone. Very reassuring to be feeling little things though. It's only very faint and when I'm lying down having a rest. I think I've got more padding there than the other two pregnancies this time! :2lol

We've got the 20 week scan booked for the 10th Jan and I'm a bit anxious about it as for the last scan my placenta was right over my previous c-section scar. The Dr said there is a reasonable chance that it will adhere to the scar and not move up high, which will change it from a routine c-section to a full on one, general, blood transfusion, possible hysterectomy c-section. I think if that is the case I'll be ringing my obs in Brissie and trying to get in with her, the facilities are just so much better for me and bubs there than this teeny regional hospital. But, we'll just have to wait and see.

[Merlion]

GD test came back and isn't very good at all high end of the spectrum. Seeing the diabetics clincic next week to try to manage it with diet like I did with D hope it works otherwise it looks like insulin injections. Taking it one day at time. Otherwise feel pretty good regarding this pregnancy but have been sick as dog with this stupid cold and feel like i have been coughing up a lung or two. Went to see my ob and he did an internal ultrasound as the external one gave us a bit of a scare as there was no visible heartbeat and "star" was right against the wall, so when he did the internal "star" showed his/her happy side by waving madly at us and my ob said there is your very active girl and my dates were out by nearly 5 days but you get that. So now I'm approx 11 weeks now having my 12 week next week on Tues so bit excited about that.

[boy wrangler]

bummer merlion, hope the diet works out. So did the obs say girl? or slip of the tongue

[Merlion]

Yeah Ob said girl i dreamt it was a girl but will wait and see

[Clover]

So exciting A! Lovely news.

[Aine]

interesting that he called it so early as the sex organs dont really form i thought until 14 + weeks????

[cherish]

hmm.. I'll check my book but I think they're formed around 12 weeks.. I know when I had my twelve week scan with the twins the ob índicated that he could tell me what they were.. but would be better to wait until the next time to make sure he was right.. so maybe it's less clear in the early scans.. though if you were having the 4d scans I'm sure it would be very clear..

[Merlion]

Well as I said it was a guess but i have been dreaming of a little girl so will wait and see. Feeling pretty good lately no morning sickness but some smells are just not right for me... But feeling pretty good.

[Astra]

Very exciting, but I am a little surprised at such an early call too. Even the 20 week scan is usually just an indication if it is a girl as there could always be something lurking that is just hard to see.

I'm just waiting, waiting, waiting. I am still feeling pretty good except for the last hour or two before I go to bed when sitting becomes quite uncomfortable. I am finally starting to feel ready to have my little one but I also don't feel like it will be today. I am only a few days off the number of weeks when I had DS so any day now.

[boy wrangler]

Good luck Astra! Can't wait to hear some exciting news! Sending you wonderful birth vibes! xx

We're having the big scan next Monday, I'll be 19 weeks. Hopefully I'll get some answers about the placenta and DH is hoping to find out pink or blue. I'm not so keen to find out the sex so will be hoping bubs has it's legs crossed! :2lol

[SpringMumma]

Thinking of you Astra as your time draws near. Can't wait to hear about bub's arrival!

Well, I just had my booking in appointment with my midwife. She's the same middy I had with DD2 and she knows I'm also studying midwifery, so it was a lovely way to spend an hour - chatting about my previous births, this year at uni etc etc. Heard little Mo's heartbeat and the girls looked totally fascinated, kinda like "why are there horses galloping in your tummy?". So am starting to get excited now and it's starting to feel more real. 16 weeks down, only 24 to go!

[Astra]

The belly at 38 weeks with my attempt at a henna tattoo.
943

[boy wrangler]

So beautiful!

[SpringMumma]

Wow, that's awesome Astra!

[Phoenix]

WOW!! I just got so clucky looking at your beautiful baby belly Astra!! Beautiful birth vibes to you. :love

[Aine]

stunning tummy

[Kali]

Beautiful belly Astra! It must be time for a blessingway thread ;)

[milkymumma]

Beauooootiful belly!! Have you done a cast?

[Madi]

Beautiful belly Astra! It must be time for a blessingway thread ;)


Lol at Phoenix and MM who both started one simultaneously :2lol

[Phoenix]

:2lol We wanted to love all over Astra!!!

[Kali]

Oh and here was I thinking I still had comand of my whip!
Enjoy Astra, I will add to it when I am on the other computer.

[Astra]

Thank you so much Phoenix and Milkymumma, that is so lovely.

Yes Milkymumma, I have done another cast, I won't decorate it until after the little one arrives though as I just canna be bothered. I think I have used up all my nesting energy and the apartment will remain in a state of semi-disarray until we eventually vacate.

[Nyree]

Gorgeous henna, Astra :)

[Clover]

Wow what an amazing belly Astra

[Merlion]

Gorgeous belly Astra

Well I guess its good news or bad news depending on how u see it. Well I went to the diabetic clincic today due to them thinking i'm borderline GDD. Alot to take in but we are going to keep an eye on my diet, weight and exercise. I have been put on a pretty strict diet of low GI and to test my blood sugar levels 3 times a week four times a day for the next two weeks and keep a chart and when i see the dietian in 2 weeks and hopefully everything settles down and maybe go up to medium GI foods. We are hoping we can manage this as we are avoiding as much as possible having insulin injections as due to history of family diabetes i'm mmore likely type II diabetes

Otherwise I'm feeling pretty good. 14 weeks tomorrow and i'm feeling pretty good otherwise. I swear i felt *star* move today but i dont know. With D i felt movement around 15 or 16 weeks or so.

[chooky]

love it astra!

[Merlion]

got better news today.. my sugar levels are really good. went to the ob today and he did a scan and he/she really didn't want to play the game and kept on moving around doing tumble turns and showing us his/her butt.

[SpringMumma]

That's great news Merlion!

'Mo' had his/her first case of the hiccups yesterday - was rather amusing to feel it! :2lol

[boy wrangler]

Good news Merlion!

Hilarious Ingrid! Have you been feeling much movement? I haven't at all really and it's making me kinda nervous. Scan tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.

[SpringMumma]

I had a few days last week of really big movements then he sort of quietened down and I started to get worried, but the past few days I've been feeling stronger kicks again - I guess it was just his position? Admittedly, I feel the kicks best when there's something (ie pants or my desk at work) sticking into his 'space' and he then kicks against it. I can only assume it's the position of your placenta that's making it hard to feel movement? Will be thinking of you tomorrow!

[boy wrangler]

I'm assuming the same Ingrid, but I have no idea where my placenta actually is! :) I'm assuming it's at the front cause the few movements I've felt have been more at the sides. But we'll see tomorrow. 10am. Not very anxious and excited all at once! :)

[Merlion]

felt flutters a couple of days ago eventhough its still very early 14 weeks 3 days...

[Phoenix]

A boy hey Ingrid!! :)

[SpringMumma]

Ahh, we don't know for sure Phoenix, that's just my hunch at the moment. I constantly refer to Mo as a 'he', and the girls pretty much constantly refer to Mo as a 'she', and DH just sits in the middle and has no idea :2lol.

[boy wrangler]

:2lol Ingrid, hope Mo isn't getting confused!

E was talking to the baby yesterday through my belly button. So adorably gorgeous!

[Phoenix]

Hehe, I knew it was an instinctual 'he'. :love

[Merlion]

Our kids still don't know about "star" yet but we may have to tell them soon. A few months ago said DS "mummy there's a baby in your tummy" but he also said "daddy has a baby in his tummy, Jessica has a baby in her tummy and I have a baby in my tummy".... I wasn't even pregnant then too

[Astra]

Our little boy was born on Thursday morning at our midwifes house after we had to evacuate. We managed to have a waterbirth but not quite as planned, he was born into the toilet! He is a little 3.2kg cutey. We are back home now and finally have power on today.

[Hailstorm]

Congrats Astra!!! Enjoy Babymooning!!

[boy wrangler]

Wow, what a story you'll have to tell him! Congratulations and enjoy this precious time!

[Karena]

Congrats Astra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a story he'll have at his 21st.

Enjoy your babymoon Hon :heart

[Harmony]

Congrats Astra! *chases Karena over here from the flood thread*

[SpringMumma]

Congrats Astra!!! Enjoy your babymoon!

Not as exciting as Astra's news, but Mo kicked my hand for the first time last night! DH then put his hand there and kinda dug his fingers in a bit, and a short while later Mo kicked DH's fingers too. The look on his face was priceless! And, same as with the girls, ive been thinking Mo was a boy but as soon as his little feet touched my hand I got the girl feeling. So, looks like 3 girls for us!

[milkymumma]

Congratulations Astra!!! :)

[Kali]

Oh wonderful news Astra! I am so glad you still got the homebirth you wanted. My toilet birth was my best birth ;) I gloat about it all the time. I can't wait to see a picture!

[Phoenix]

Wonderful news Astra! Congratulations, enjoy your babymoon and welcome Earthside precious boy. I have been thinking of you since you last posted so it is nice to hear that all went well. :heart

[mama_bel]

My toilet birth was also my best birth. :) Congratulations to you and your family, Astra. xx

SM, how delightful - I so, so miss that feeling...

[Clover]

Congratulations Astra!

[Merlion]

Well i'm just over 16 weeks and the last couple of days i have been feeling little flutters but last night I feel like a hand or a foot is trying to push out of me in my top right hand side of stomach and there's a funny little bump there so i think it might be a foot pushing itself and when I put my hand on it i feel a little kick or stab..

[SpringMumma]

Question BW (or anyone else with experience!) - what exactly does a mini penis & scrotum look like on a 20 week ultrasound??? We had ours yesterday and Mo had it's legs crossed and kinda sitting on them, and the sonographer was down that way a lot trying to measure it's femur, so i kept looking between it's legs (cheeky, I know!). So, despite thinking it's a girl for the past week, I'm now back to thinking it's a boy!

[boy wrangler]

Well, despite this being our third boy, it's only the first time I've seen all the bits and pieces on an ultrasound. Ours was pretty obvious because of bub's position, it was like he was sitting on a piece of glass with his legs straight out and we were looking up from below. Two legs going out at angles with a penis pointing up the middle, little teste on either side.

How exciting Ingrid! Hope everything was ok! xx

[Merlion]

I'm still thinking girl but who knows. Now even hubby says a girl we just wait and see... Feeling pretty good a bit tired today though as we went to the beach with few friends for a bbq for australia day. both kids absolutely exhausted and only fought for 10mins once we got home before heading to bed.

[SpringMumma]

Thanks BW. I saw three circles between Mo's legs, so not sure if that was testes and a penis or just something else! Although I'm happy with a surprise in 20 odd weeks, part of me is dying to know! :2lol

[Hailstorm]

When we had Hailey's US, the sonographer pointed to three little lines between her legs and said 'these three lines are what we see when the baby is a girl' he also said 'when we are looking to see is a boy we use 'the turtle sign'' which is basically a little part inbetween the legs that looks like a turtle (the penis kinda pokes out above the testes IYKWIM) so I'd say (in all my experience with ultrasounds :rofl) that lil Mo is a lil boy!!!

[boy wrangler]

Well if it's between circles and lines, I'd say circles would be boy wouldn't they? Very exciting!!!

I'd have been happy with a surprise too, but you know, had to give DH his way with something! ;) I keep thinking with ours, maybe they're wrong, but I really don't think so :2lol

[SpringMumma]

Hmmm, I hadn't thought of it like that BW! I definitely didn't see the three lines, only the 3 circles. I asked the sonographer later if she could tell what it was and she said she couldn't (but could look if we'd like her to), so i guess if she couldn't tell by glancing, then what hope have I of getting it right :2lol. Anyway, the guessing game is fun!

I just picked up the results and it's femur is measuring about a week ahead of dates, and the rest measuring slightly (day or two) ahead as well. Fingers crossed this bubba comes early (just a wee bit!) so i don't go past dates. But I know, what will be will be. *zen*

[Phoenix]

A girl will look like a hamburger, a boy like a turtle! :)

[boy wrangler]

A girl will look like a hamburger, a boy like a turtle! :)

doesn't that just paint a picture! :2lol

[Phoenix]

Sure does!! :D

I found this (http://www.examiner.com/early-childhood-parenting-in-national/boy-parts-and-girl-parts-ultrasounds-from-16-weeks-and-onpicture?slide=7272936#main) slideshow of ultrasound pics. Maybe that will help Ingrid!

[Merlion]

I'm 18 weeks today too and feeling the humidity and heat. I have the smallest belly this time around you can't even tell i'm pregnant. Feeling occasional flutter here and there. No nausea at all the first semester but in the last couple of days i think due to the humidity and me cutting down on my sugars feel a bit nausea occasionally. I'm so excited I'm having my ultrasound on Tuesday and maybe able to find out what we are having. Went to BIGW baby sale today and only went to get a baby rocker (J&D lived in them while I was cooking dinner in the doorway of the kitchen, D used to scream blue murder until he was about 8 months old if he couldn't see me so it helped me out heaps) but bought some gender neutral baby clothes so excited...

[Bubly]

Hello! I don't post here very often, but thought I would join in this thread as I'm 9 weeks pregnant with my 4th bub!

DH and I are thrilled, if a little freaked out at having 4 children! My older boys have been talking about 'the new baby' since just after Miss 2 was born, so they're looking forward to the baby being born, but otherwise aren't all that excited because they knew it would happen eventually! According to Mr 6 it's a girl named Scarlet - we'll see I guess!

I am exhausted and a bit nauseous all the time, cooking is a challenge, but otherwise I'm lucky to have pretty cruisey pregnancies.

Looking forward to growing and sharing

xx

[Hailstorm]

Wonderful news Bubly!! Big congrats to you and your family xx i look forward to sharng this journey with you my SIL is aout 9 weeks along as well :great

[boy wrangler]

Congrats! That is lovely news! Ooo, girl named Scarlet! That'd be lovely!

I'm 23 weeks with boy #3, I have pretty cruisy pregnancies too thank goodness! Although I am heaps bigger with this one that the other two! DH just keeps looking at me and rubbing my belly saying 'where did this come from!?!"

Wishing you a blissful and uneventful pregnancy and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you!

[milkymumma]

Good to see you here Bubly! :great

[SpringMumma]

Lovely to have you join us here Bubly! I'm 21 weeks w #3, and although pregnancy and I don't really get along, I'm starting to enjoy it more. Looking forward to sharing this journey with you!

[Bubly]

Thanks everyone! Hi MM ;)

BW - I feel like I'm popping out already this time, which is odd for me, you usually can't tell I'm pregnant till about 20wks+, so I'll be interested to see how big my belly gets :)

Hope everyone continues well

xx

[Selenite]

Hi Everyone! I hope I can join in, I am 9 weeks pregnant with our 3rd child, I had an ultrasound today (against my will LOL) and I have a healthy little baby measuring perfectly nestled inside :)

To cut a long story short as I am sure you will hear it all in time, my DD1 has a chromosome abnormality which was picked up on her 12 week nuchal ultrasound and my DD2 is a heartkid, this was also (kind of) picked up in her 12 week nuchal scan so I am nervously waiting for 3 weeks to pass and pray that I have a healthy little baby.

I look forward to getting to know everyone and share this journey with you.

[Bubly]

Congratulations Selenite! Sending lots of healthy baby vibes and wishing you a lovely uneventful pregnancy :)

We must be due around the same time - looking forward to sharing the ride!

[Phoenix]

So glad you had a lovely scan. :) Looking forward to hearing more of both your journeys!

[SpringMumma]

Welcome along Selenite, lovely to have you join us and great news on your scan!

[Stardust]

Welcome Selenite and Bubly!

[Merlion]

18w 4 days today... Got too see bubba and its a boy Don't say anything of facebook yet as i haven't let my in-laws know yet. Was very exciting the ultrasound guy went through all parts of of anatomy and all the other parts of the body and got to see bubba in 4D. Bubba was very co-operative and turned when needed be and waved things around

[Merlion]

Not feeling the greatest today. My hips are hurting and just feel really crappy... This is the first time in my 3 pregnancies that I have felt this way... Can't sit or lay or stand up too long as my hips are really hurting. I'm glad i had a home day today but I have so much to do tomorrow so need to rest as much as i can.

[Bubly]

Hope you're feeling better today Merlion. Do you see a chiro? I found mine helped heaps with my last pregnancy, and I didn't seem to have as many aches and pains.
And congratulations on another boy!!! Must have been lovely to see him in all his glory!!

[Merlion]

feeling alot better today but still suffering for braxton hicks contractions... hope it stops by sun as its D's party

[Merlion]

feeling good again... no more braxton hicks contractions but bubba is loving playing the drum on me especially while i'm cooking dinner. 20 weeks and 1/2 way to go aprox. G's cousin just had a baby yesterday beautiful baby boy after a very short labour (3 hours) after having 3 s&s in the last 2 weeks due to her having problems at teh beginning of the pregnancy... She was due valentines day but he was a stubborn little one. she was booked for an induction on monday at 7am but having two normal vaginal births 2 hour and 4 hour labours respectively and 3 days early she was getting annoyed and frustrated. Hope tog et see our new baby cousin in the next couple of weeks as they live in geraldton which is a good 4 hour drive away.

[Bubly]

Glad to hear you're feeling better - woohoo half way there!! The down hill run now....

I am feeling pretty good atm. 11 weeks and the nausea seems to have gone as long as I eat regularly. Still feeling extremely tired, but hoping for an energy burst soon. Breastfeeding Miss 2 is quite painful and she's teething so wanting to feed a fair bit. I don't think there's much milk left though as her appetite seems to have really increased in the last week or two.
Meeting some middies on Tuesday, so hopefully we love 'em and can start planning our homebirth!

[Merlion]

My little man turns 4 on Tuesday nearly a year after he self weaned. So i'm not sure how i'm going to be able to breast feed and have such a busy schedule this year... We went for an hour walk today and i feel a bit exhausted now... Legs feel like rubber a bit and bubba enjoyed the walk and didn't make a noise which is amazing considering he loves kicking up a storm during the day. Now that i'm sititng and relaxing he's back again to his mischief of kicking me.

[Selenite]

I met my ob for the first time last week and although he seems wonderful and is very pro-vaginal birth the hospital will not allow VBAC's so it seems that I don't have many options other than a CS. The closest hospital that will allow a VBAC is a 2 hour drive and the road is very rough for part of it. I have had great experiences with CS's in the past however I would love to feel labour and allow my body the chance to try and deliver naturally so I am feeling slightly deflated.

On Monday we have our NT ultrasound, I feeling pretty good so far, suprisingly, it will be lovely to see baby kicking around.

Bubly - My energy levels are just starting to pick up at 12+3w, the fatigue has been chronic this time around. I also find that if I eat regulary I feel good, I always know if I skip a meal.

Merlion - Congratulations on the arrival of your cousins baby :)
It is lovely that you have enjoyed an hour long walk, I couldn't imagine it at the moment, I need to build my endurance back up, I walked for half an hour yesterday with the girls in the pram and I felt great at the time but as soon as I sat down it hit me as it did you.

[boy wrangler]

That is a shame Selenite, can you bring it up with the obs at every appointment? Depending on how keen you are could an appointment with the head of obstetrics help? I work on the theory of little and often, so when I was planning my VBAC (that was unsuccessful :() I picked a few things I really wanted/didn't want to happen and just spoke to my obs about them every appointment. It got my point across without being really demanding or giving the appearance that I wasn't listening to her views. In the end we were able to negotiate quite a few things which were really helpful even though the outcome wasn't the one that I wanted. Have you read much about Maternally Assisted Caesarians? Milkymumma started a thread with an article linked in it and I'm going throught the process of working with my obs to achieve one (or close to it) for this bub - very exciting!!!

I'm going well, 26+4 now and getting big! Little man is very active (just like A was so Lord help me if this one is as active as him once he's born! :2lol), so active he's keeping me awake some nights and even waking me up. I may need to reduce my dark chocolate intake - I sometimes have a row (or two, ssshh!) after dinner. I also have the less joyous pregnancy stuff happening, varicose veins, thrush etc etc. Probiotics is helping the thrush but I'm very hesitant to get my pressure stockings out again for the veins, it's too bloody hot! I'm just trying to elevate my leg when I'm sitting down, not crossing my legs and not carrying heavy things. It's quite painful if I've spent a lot of time carrying A in particular.

[Selenite]

I will continue to speak with him about my wish for a VBAC and he is very understanding, I think if I had only the one CS I might have talked them into it but because I have had two they see it as an increased risk again. My ob is currently working on getting the rules changed to allow VBAC's however I don't think this takes VBA2C's into consideration. I will keep discussing it though, you never know. The major thing on my list is that baby does not leave my side (with the exception of medical reasons) as my DD1 went straight to NICU and was in hospital for 3 months and DD2 went straight to SCN and came home at 16 days both having major surgery in that time so I have never had that newborn bonding experience, I have let him know and he is going to work with me to ensure my wishes are met which is all I really need, my baby on my chest where s/he belongs. I haven't looked into maternally assisted CS's, I will see if I can find that thread now, sounds interesting.

[Phoenix]

I hope you get that bonding time Selenite. :heart

[boy wrangler]

Yeah, they won't even consider me for a VBA2C because I had "tear stress" at my previous VBAC, not that I think they'd consider it even if I didn't have that history. Even if you just google 'maternally assisted caesarian' or some other combination of similar words you should get stuff come up. The problem I've found (and my obs has found) is that there is very little medical info around on it, that is why the article MM put up is so handy, it is from a hosp in Perth and is their procedure. I found a few newspaper articles and anecdotal stories, but no medical journals. My obs said today he's spoken to a few of his colleagues and no one has done it or even heard of it! Good luck, we may be on this journey together!

[Bubly]

Wow, that would be great if you could both have maternally assisted ceasarians!

Selenite, it sounds like you have a great ob, hope you can have that immediate contact with your bub.

[Merlion]

I hope everything works for you Selenite. With DD I had an emerg c-sect but thank goodness i had a epidural before everything went a bit crazy so i was awake when she was born but i didn't have my glasses on and everything was a huge blur. I got to touch her for a second before she and hubby went into recovery while i was being stiched up and i was scared and terrified and trembly from the shock and the next day she landed up in SCN for 10 days due to low blood sugar levels but thank goodness they kept me in hospital as i had pre-eclampsia and tehy couldn't stablisie my blood pressure and my original OB was away for 6 of the those days... With DS i had a very extensive birth plan pinpointing what i wanted. The main thing was i had to have my glasses given to me as sooon as possible or at least have it on the whole time, baby was not to leave my side unless for medical reasons and if so hubby was to follow, and i wanted to have a look at the placenta. They gave me the glasses as soon as he was pulled out so he was not a blur and i got to give him a very quick cuddle and kiss before the paed exaimned him and wrapped him and since it was past 7pm he got to stay with me by my side or in hubbies arms when my arms got too numb from holding him while i was getting stiched. I was so thrilled as they even brought the examining table right well 2 feet away from me to do his newborn checks so i could see him screaming his lungs out and laugh at hubby cutting the cord. the paed offered me to cut the cord but the epidural was giving me the shakes so i was happy. i got to touch and fondle the placenta and was given detailed layout of it by the midwife who was with me for majority of my 30 hour labour before my c-section. she was about to go off duty when i was admitted the day before and she came back 12 hours later to see me still in labour and stayed on 2 hours past her shift to be with me when he was delivered. i bumped into her 3 months later at a restaurant and she still remembered me

DS birth was so much more calmer and i felt more relaxed than i did with DD eventhough 30 hours of labour and final c-section. I'm hoping this one is the same as i'm using a different ob and different hospital

[Selenite]

We had our NT ultrasound on Monday and I am afraid the news isn't as good as we had hoped. The nuchal measurement was 7mm (DD1's was 8mm & DD2's was 10mm) and the chance of downs syndrome was 1:26 (DD1's was 1:3 & DD2's was 1:2) so overall not as high as my girls but high enough to set off the alarms. The ob looked at all of the babies major organs and it appears that baby has a 'coarctation of the aorta' which is one of the heart conditions that my DD2 has. To have a baby with a heart condition is a 8:1000 chance, if you have a baby already with a heart condition your chances rise to 16:1000, with those odds you would think you were safe. We have chosen not to have any further testing, meaning an amnio or CVS as it wouldn't mean anything to us. We will now wait until the 20 week scan where we will either get a diagnosis on the heart or the all clear (although this is highly unlikely). So, here we are again, back on the rollarcoaster of life.

[Merlion]

Oh Selenite hope everything goes well for you babe.

Bubba is going well for now. Having a lot of kicks and punches in weird spots bubba has been sitting in the weird position this week and causing me alot of pain in my hips and pelvic bone but otherwise feel pretty good.

[boy wrangler]

Oh Selenite, massive hugs honey. Keep us up to date, thinking of you xx

[Bubly]

Lots of love to you Selenite. You sound like a very strong mama

xxx

[Phoenix]

OH Selenite :( I am sorry that you had that news, I hope the 20 week scan shows vast improvement in your belly babes heart. Much love. :heart

[SpringMumma]

I'm sorry to hear the NT scan results have given you these ratios. Here's hoping that the 20 week scan shows a huge improvement on your bubba's heart. Much, much love to you and your family (and a warm and gentle rub for your belly babe) xx

[Snoozie]

Hello... slowly poking my head in at one day shy of 24 weeks lol

Just had to fly to Brisbane for a scan due to cysts being found on both sides of bub's brain at morph scan. Fortunately all came back clear but we were very worried for a while as we have 2 DDs with a genetic disorder so we hoped having a boy this time we would be "safe". Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly from here.

Sorry to hear you will likely not get your VBAC Selenite. :(

[boy wrangler]

So glad everything came back all clear Snoozie, what a stressful time that would have been! Congrats on a little boy! Wishing you a smooth time from now!

[Snoozie]

Yup just have to make it to the hospital in time lmao Given that I live 2 and a bit hours away that could be an interesting trip!!!

[boy wrangler]

Goodness! That could be an interesting trip! Are you going to go and stay closer to the hospital to be ready for the birth?

[Snoozie]

Well the receptionist mentioned something about being put up in a motel from 39 weeks. I said that I had DD2 at 38+6 and pretty much went to hospital at 10:45pm and had DD at 12:35am lmao She said maybe should be 2 weeks before! hahaha Haven't heard anything about that since though. :)

[boy wrangler]

When we were unsure about whether we'd be in Brissie or up here for A (DS2) my obs wanted me back in Brissie at 36 weeks! Luckily it didn't make any difference cause we hadn't moved yet.

I'm not sure if I'd risk it if I were you, but that's just me!

[Merlion]

food poisioning is all i have to say... My poor tummy and poor baby.... I feel terrible.... and thank my lucky stars its the weekend so G has been managing the kids by himself and is going to be in charge of cooking dinner... at least i have something planned for dinner....

[Clover]

Oh that is terrible A. Hope it *passes* soon!

[Snoozie]

Food poisoning is nasty :( :( Hope you feel better soon!

[Merlion]

Feeling pretty good again thankfully baby is kicking up a storm and driving me nutty with the kicking in the bladder all day long. Feeling a bit sad today though hubby went to see his dr for his monthly checkup and got a referral to get a vasectomy after the baby is born. We don't want anymore but it was a bit of a shock as we hadn't talked about it since i fell pregnant with this one. I mean we had decided last year before i fell pregnant he was going to get it done in Jan this year and things chnaged.

[Selenite]

Glad to hear you are feeling better Merlion. You seem a little unsure about the vasectomy, has he booked in?

The trip to my local hospital is 1 hour, however the trip to my closest hospital that will allow a VBAC is 2 hours through a very windy mountain, eek! As I have never laboured before and therefore have no idea what I am in for (my Mum laboured very fast with my brother and I) I didn't think this was a very smart option. It turns out that I will be having another CS at the hospital in the city so at least the drive will be comfortable. Best of luck with your travel Snoozie.

As for me, no news really, I am waiting until the end of April for my ultrasound and thats about it, I am feeling great. I seem to have a rough first trimester then nothing until the birth (apart from babies medical issues).

I hope everyone is well :)

[Merlion]

he has the referral but we will see what happens after the baby is born

[Selenite]

Oh you did say that, sorry my brain went elsewhere!