Bumps and Babies Autumn 2007

[scrappinglisa]

This thread has been automatically created, because the original thread had over 250 posts.

The original thread was located HERE (http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=211453).

The first post was....

This thread has been automatically created, because the original thread had over 250 posts.

The original thread was located HERE (http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=204540).

The first post was....



If you post below with your details if you're not down already I'll add you to the new list.

Look forward to chatting.

Due Dates

Helley - Due 26th March 2008
Patsy (Hopejack) - Due 25th April 2008 with baby no. 2
Nikki (Nikkimitch) - Due 2nd May 2008 with baby no. 4
Monica (Kittenglitter) - Due 13th May 2008
Doodlexyz - Due May 21st 2008 with baby no. 3
Claireb - Due 3rd June 2008 with baby no. 1
Claire (Miss Sixty) - Due 16th June 2008 with baby no. 1
Lucy (loopylocket) - Due 27th June 2008 with baby no. 4
Toni (Digger) - Due
CathU - Due 2nd August 2008
Kate (Harrys Gal) - Due 4th August 2008 with baby no. 1
Antheag - Due September 2008 with baby no. 2
Guernseygirl (Naomi) - Due 25th September 2008 with baby no. 2
Marja - Due 13th October 2008 with baby no. 2

Birth Announcements

Michelle - Gethin Luke 22nd April 2008, weighing 8lb 3oz
Kerry - Aiden James 1st April 2008, weighing 5lb 13.5oz
Stevie - Sylvie Victoria 25th March 2008, weighing 11lb 5oz
Laura - Kirsty Elizabeth 21st Feb 2008, weighing 8lb 10oz
Nic - Isabella Jane 29th January 2008, weighing 7lb 2oz
Jennifer - Emmeline 23rd December 2007, weighing 8lb 5oz
Sarah - Finley Michael Packer 20th December 2007, weighing 9lb 2ozs
Bryony - Thomas and Jessica 15th November 2007, weighing 6lb 12oz and 4lb 11oz
Scrappyfairy - Finlay 15th November 2007, weighing 7lb 13oz
Amelie - Maica Poppy 8th November 2007, weighing 8lb 6oz, 56cm long
Heather - Swyn Jen 1st November 2007
Peechy - Jemel 25th October 2007, weighing 8lb 8oz
Lisa - Flynn Lucas 24th October 2007, weighing 8lb 3oz
Libby - William 14th October 2007, weighing 8lb
Boland - Connor 8th September 2007 7.56pm, weighing 8lb 4oz
Heather - Christopher 20th September 2007, weighing 8lb
Kerry - Ethan 2nd Sept 2007 11.00am, weighing in at 3.2kgs, 51cm long
Amy - George Alex Martin 29th May 21:56, weighing 8lb 3oz 55cm long
Mel (Modie-May) - Lachlan 28th May 2007, weighing 9lbs 14oz
Marja - Noemie Catherine 11th April 2007 9.20am, weighing 7:1/2lbs, 57cm long[/QUOTE]

Please feel free to carry on......

[A_M_Y]

Have had a bit of a day. DH went off for the week today just after lunch. Put DD down for a nap and I had one, woke up to to her at her door (we have a stairgate on it) and she was being sick everywhere! She's been sick a few more times too - she's full of cold (v snotty) and just proper poorly bless her. I know this sounds selfish but I hope I don't get the sickness as I'm worried it may start something off this week and what with DH being away! She's not eaten all afternoon and just sipped water so I'm hoping by tomorrow am she'll be a lot better.... Thank god I have my Mum near by - it's a godsend living so close now - before it was awful not having anyone when DH went on one of his many work trips!

Oh dear, it does sound like you have had a bit of a bad day. I hope that your DD feels better tomorrow. I totally understand what you mean about wanting someone near when DH is away. Me and George always go and stay with my parents when Dh is away, they are a 2 hours drive away, and i have noone else closer. I really enjoy spending a bit of time with my parents, and they love to have George around. I also stayed with them whilst pregnant. I hate the idea of something bad happening and having to deal with it all by myself. Infact we are at my parents at the moment, DH come back from Hungray tomorrow :)

[scrappinglisa]

Patsy, Flynn was in a swinging crib so bigger than a moses basket. I found it a lot better than a moses basket which DS1 bever settled in. He slept ok in his cot last night but he is going through a stage at the moment at bedtime where he won't go to sleep! Hope your DD is feeling better soon.

It's interesting that some people think NY is not a place for children, Ethan loved it and talks about it all the time. I suppose it depends what you want out of the holiday, for us it was about seeing the sights and enjoying NY. We did Central Park, Empire State, Top of the Rocks, Helicopter ride, Time Square, lots of shopping and many more things. We ate a good breakfast then just had a snack during the day and then a meal in the evening.

Mel you'll have to let me know what The Statue of liberty is like, it's one of things we'd like to do next time.

[A_M_Y]

We had George in a carry-cot when he was born until he was 4 months old. I am glad we went for that instead of a moses basket as it was bigger. He then went into a cot as we also moved house. I think i was lucky as he didnt seem to have any problems moving over. He also sleeps well in his travel cot at my parents. Think he would be happy sleeping anywhere though!

[Modie-may]

Lachy was in a Moses basket for the first 3mths, he should have gone into his cot sooner but I didn't have a monitor and I was a bit of a wimp as it meant he had to go into his own room.

[michmad]

Hope DD is feeling better, Patsy. After my stint in hospital two weeks ago I wouldn't wish a stomach bug on anyone so far along! I was vomiting again on Easter Monday - started at about 4 in the morning and didn't stop till about 8am. Didn't go and get checked out as DH had to work and we didn't have anyone to look after the children. Luckily the children were brilliant as I didn't have much energy for the rest of the day. I just lay in bed while they played in their rooms. I really am nervous that this baby will try and make an appearance before my c section on the 22nd. My mom is only arriving from SA on the 21st so I hope this "little boy" sticks to the schedule as its a very tight one.

All this talk of traveling has reminded me that we're going to Australia for 2 weeks at the beginning of June. Should be an exciting trip with a 5 year old, 1 year old and 6 week old!!!
Luckily DS and DD are used to long haul flights as we visit South Africa nearly every year and have done quite a bit of traveling with them. I don't believe in being housebound just because we have small kids. Have kids will travel!!!

[A_M_Y]

Lachy was in a Moses basket for the first 3mths, he should have gone into his cot sooner but I didn't have a monitor and I was a bit of a wimp as it meant he had to go into his own room.

Thats not too bad going Mel. Took me till last month to move George into his own room, and we have a monitor. I still dont like not having him next to me at nights....but i guess its all part of him growing up, and he does sleep better. I must be a real wimp :rolleyes:

[Modie-may]

All this talk of traveling has reminded me that we're going to Australia for 2 weeks at the beginning of June. Should be an exciting trip with a 5 year old, 1 year old and 6 week old!!!
Luckily DS and DD are used to long haul flights as we visit South Africa nearly every year and have done quite a bit of traveling with them. I don't believe in being housebound just because we have small kids. Have kids will travel!!!


I agree with you. We've done a bit of travelling with Lachy, we did the Rugby World Cup and took him to the games and have done some things around the UK with him as well, plus NZ which was alot of travelling around there too. No need to stop, you just need to adjust what you do a bit I guess.

[A_M_Y]

I agree too. Me and DH have never travelled though, even before George. We havent even had a proper holiday together yet, not even a honeymoon! Our holidays consisted of visiting the other ones country and staying with parents.....i dont think thats the same as a real holiday. At the moment though we just cant afford to travel....maybe one day!

Oh and i think you also need to be super organised when travelling with a baby....either that or not a born worrier like me! Definatly dont see why having children should stop you though :)

[Modie-may]

Yeah, you do have to be organised. We normally take enough nappies to last 2 days and then buy them there. As I used Miltons tablets to sterilise as I didn't have enough room in my house for a steriliser I just took a couple of them when I used to sterilise. A few toys and clothes on the basis that you can wash them there and if you've forgotten something, you can always re-buy it.

[GuernseyGirl]

Oh dear, it does sound like you have had a bit of a bad day. I hope that your DD feels better tomorrow. I totally understand what you mean about wanting someone near when DH is away. Me and George always go and stay with my parents when Dh is away, they are a 2 hours drive away, and i have noone else closer. I really enjoy spending a bit of time with my parents, and they love to have George around. I also stayed with them whilst pregnant. I hate the idea of something bad happening and having to deal with it all by myself. Infact we are at my parents at the moment, DH come back from Hungray tomorrow :)


Hope DD is better soon.

My parents live close (well, we do live on an island that is only 27 sq miles :lol:) but even so, they need some persuasion to help. My mum usually uses the excuse that if DD is sick she only wants me or DH to be with her!!! There's always an excuse and I feel like I'm asking the hugest favour if I ask for any help. A difficult topic for me!!


Anyway, on a different note - when are you likely to feel baby moving - with 2nd one, I know it's earlier.....not sure if I'm feeling some 'fluttering' or if it is just wind!!! :lol:

[Modie-may]

Go with the idea of flutterings, Naomi!!

[HOPEJACK]

Thanks for your well wishes all - DD still pretty poorly - she was sick twice in the night last night - can't even keep water down and it's starting down below now too - have had to put her in a nappy - hope I've done the right thing with that - she is sooo loose (sorry tmi) she just can't make it to the toilet :( I can't remember the last time she was this ill.

I took her in with me at 3 am and think I got about 2 hours sleeps until 7.30 am!! She was either asking for water, tossing and turning or making me v hot - she was burning up.

I'm exhausted but I've managed to get 2 hours sleep this morning while my Mum watched DD. DD is now asleep on the couch. She's not eaten anything but as I say can't keep the water down at the moment.

This typically happens when DH is away. I just hope I don't get it please - I really don't think a bug like this will be good at this stage in my pregnancy. My stomach is rumbling a bit - probably psychological :D

I agree about travelling with kids although we don't tend to do further afield hols now - we've done Menorca and Cyprus and that's it!

[Modie-may]

Hope DD is better soon Patsy and you don't come down with it either.

[Amelie]

eeek patsy thats the last thing you need right now! i hope she gets better soon!

We started Maica off in a swinging crib, but she was in with us by about 4 weeks. she has a cot next to our bed here but we don't really use that either... a waste of money lol. a bit like the pram, she goes in the sling everywhere.

marja re the cosleeping thing, i don't think she wakes up with the smell of milk, we get a far betters nights sleep with her in with us, if she does wake up shes either hungry(and i can just turn over and stuff the boob in her mouth and go back to sleep) or she goes back to sleep because we're right there. it works for us, i'm so glad i didnt give up on breastfeeding because i can't imagine getting up in the night for bottles etc.
xx

[Modie-may]

I agree with you about getting up at night Amelie. If I'd ended up bottle feeding, I think Lachy would've woken up completely and decided it was playtime whenever he woke at night.

[GuernseyGirl]

Oh Patsy - it sounds just like what my DD had.....hope you don't catch it and your DD is feeling better soon. Lots of love xx

[A_M_Y]

We got into the somewhat bad habit of bringing George into our bed when he was waking at 3am every night. We started this once he was 6 months old as i didnt feel safe when he was really young. We only did it cause it was much easier and we all got more sleep. However in hind sight it was such a bad idea to start, as we kind of taught him to wake in the night and cry so he could come to us. We had to do 2 very hard days and nights of controlled crying, and now he sleeps 12 hours solid at nights in his own room, and it really is much better for us all. Just my experience though, not saying its not the right thing for others....just something to be aware of.

[SasB]

HI All,

Just a quick visit to say Hi now we are back home. can't believe its all over! Hope everyone else is well - will catch up properly as soon as I can, can hear a hungry cry in the background so better go and see

[kezmoc]

Hi all, hope everyone is ok? congrats SasB absolutely gorgeous buba x , I will be having my section in aprox 3 hours....aaargh needless to say I have been up most of the night ..just waiting, and waiting......

Love and hugs to all of you x

[irishrainbow]

Good to hear from you Stevie - lovley photo.

Good luck Kerry!

[A_M_Y]

Good Luck Kerry :wub:

Lovely photo Stevie :)

[GuernseyGirl]

Congratulations again Stevie - baby looks lovely!! Hope all is going well now you are home.


Kerry - hope everything goes well for you this morning. Not long til you hold your precious bundle!!

[nikkimitch]

Hi all, hope everyone is ok? congrats SasB absolutely gorgeous buba x , I will be having my section in aprox 3 hours....aaargh needless to say I have been up most of the night ..just waiting, and waiting......

Love and hugs to all of you x

only about 1/2 an hour now then - GOOD LUCK great day for a birthday (it's mine :lol:) look forward to hearing your news soon

welcome back stevie - lovely pic - CONGRATULATIONS

[Modie-may]

Good luck Kerry, can't wait to see photos of your bundle!!

Stevie, what a cutie!!! Yay for you.

[A_M_Y]

Happy birthday Nikki :) Have a lovely day!

[Modie-may]

Sorry Nikki, missed that. Happy Birthday. Hope you have a relaxing day.

[GuernseyGirl]

Happy Birthday Nikki - any plans???

[doodlexyz]

Congrats Stevie... Bubba is gorgeous :D Glad to hear your back home!

Good luck today Kerry!

Happy Birthday Nikki :D

[HOPEJACK]

Congratulations on the arrival of Sylvie, Stevie :) Hope you're feeling a bit better now - even with a section to contend with!

Kerry - good luck for today - no doubt you won't see this now but hope it goes OK.

Nikki - hope you've had a good birthday!

DD still poorly - my Mum ended up being up with her most of last night so that I could get some sleep. Mum is back at work tomorrow though so it's me again tonight. I feel exhausted. She is a bit brighter though although still can't keep anything down really.

[Modie-may]

Patsy, hope you manage to get some sleep tonight and hopefully your mum bore the brunt of it and she'll sleep the rest of the illness off tonight - not trying to be mean to your mum of course.

Took Lachy to creche today for an hour while I went for a swim, it's a creche at my community gym. One of the other mums and I went together so Lachy had a friend in the creche with him. Didn't even faze him.

[GuernseyGirl]

Mel - that sounds great to be able to go swimming in peace!!!

Patsy - hope you get a good night and DD is better tomorrow.

Heard there's threadworms making the rounds at nursery.....yuk! You don't think about these things when you think about having children do you?!! :lol:

[Modie-may]

Oh I did, as the kids i was looking after got nits and worms while I pregnant. For me, it was a hazard of the job.

[A_M_Y]

Inspired by Amelie's tips, here are some photos me and my dad took at the weekend. My dad has recently gotten into photography, and has a whole load of kit including studio lights....it was so funny as whilst doing this photoshoot, a neighbour called around cause he saw all the flashes and wanted to check no one was getting electrocuted :o

Dont ask what i am doing up at this time of night! We are off to The Netherlands in an hour and i just cant sleep.

Patsy, hope that your DD is feeling better very soon so you can get some rest.

Mel, sounds lovely to be able to go swimming properly....everytime i go with George i wish i could go for a swim too, but they dont have a creche at the pool here. Its great Lachy didnt mind it at all, and nice he could go with someone else.

[GuernseyGirl]

oh Amy, those are lovely photos - you must be really pleased. The studio look without the studio prices!!!! :lol:

[Modie-may]

Amy, they are awesome!! I can't believe how big George is now. Time flies huh? this time last year you and I were still waiting.

[HOPEJACK]

Threadworms and nits just make me want to heave big style! I've heard both are fairly tricky to get rid of too!

DD seems a lot better today, well 70%, she's not been sick since yesterday which is great but hasn't eaten much at all. She woke at 4.30 am coughing really badly and was nearly sick but wasn't - I ended up spending an hour with her comforting her before she fell back to sleep so feeling slightly jaded again today (I knew if I'd taken her in my bed again there would have been no sleep at all!). It's odd because she was full of cold before the sick bug started and then the cold seemed to subside while she was ill but it's back again full force now the sickness has gone?? Very odd - so now she's snotty, chesty etc again! I feel yucky today - stomach feels v odd so I just hope I'm not getting it.

Lovely pics Amy - how fab that your Dad can do that, make the most of it - at that age they are so easy to photograph, once they get to toddler age it's awful trying to get a good pic!! Hope you enjoy your trip...

[Modie-may]

nits and threadworm....nah just tablets for the latter and stinky shampoo for the first.

[GuernseyGirl]

I'm keeping a beady eye on DD's bottom!!!! :lol:

Nursery advised looking at nighttime with a torch.......:wacko:

[scrappinglisa]

When I was pregnant we thought DS had nits so off I went to get some lotion. Checked that I'd be able to use just in case he did have them and passed to me and they said that pregnant women can't use the lotions and could only apply with gloves! Thankfully nothing in my hair, I'd have been climbing the walls. There was one child in DS1 class who had nits for ages and they just weren't treating her properly. If you stood next to her you could see then crawling and the eggs!!!! It's just a shame schools don't have more powers when it comes to nits - they are not really allowed to tell parents their child has them which is just crazy. We had the nit nurse when I was at school.

Touch wood not had threadworms yet.

Amy the photos of George are really lovely. We are going to buy some black and white fabric at the weekend and have a go at some shots. I've only got a point and shoot but I'm desperate for some photos to enlarge and put up around the house of Ethan and Flynn and them together.

I weighed Flynn today and he is 16lb 12oz, has put 10oz on in 3 weeks and now below 50th centile. I'm not worried though he's happy and growing so I'll hold off weaning a little longer. Plus he is so mobile now, one minute he is next to me then he's the other side of the room :lol:

[Modie-may]

The main thing is he's happy cause if there was something wrong he wouldn't be.

Ooops didn't know that about nit lotions I got some stuff bought over from NZ and used that on the kids whilst preggers.

I used to work in a pharmacy and one guy came in missing a tooth cause he had told another parent that their child had nits!!!! Put it this way, they only like clean hair as they can't feed from the hair shaft if hair is dirty. So it's not a case of hygiene. Also, my brothers and sisters all got nits and I never did. I reckon some people just don't get them.

[HOPEJACK]

We use tea tree oil (just a drop) on DD's hair after she has her hair washed in the bath - apparently they don't like it (nits that is!). I'm paranoid and am growing her hair now esp so she can have it tied back for nursery - I know it doesn't mean she won't get them but it makes it a little harder for them!

Re threadworms, DD told me she had an itchy bottom last night and kept scratching but I think it's down to the bug she's had - at least I hope so - don't fancy the torch thing as it will wake her up with her having a nappy on etc - eewwww kid's pick up lovely things don't they!

[Modie-may]

you could always dose as a precautionary though if it was really bothering her. But you are more likely right about the bug, try putting a couple of Tbsp of baking soda in here bath water to neutralise any acids or alkalais on her body. I always do this for kids and bubbies - esp with red butts from nappies.

[HOPEJACK]

Thanks Mel - she's not mentioned it tonight so I do think it was the bug as she'd had a few loose movements and I think she was just a little 'sore and itchy' (sorry tmi again!).

[irishrainbow]

Hi Everyone

Amy - Photos are lovely...well done with your photo shoot.

Patsy - Sorry to hear DD1 has been sick - hope she is still improving and you aren't too tired at the moment.

We are ok - had DD1 at the doc yesterday as a sore ear hasn't healed, so now on antibiotics which seem to be kicking in. The weather was lovely here today so packed DD1 and Kirsty into the double buggy and walked to the local play park and let DD1 loose on the climbing frames and swings. Had a great time. Best part of my day was the timing of it - DD1 awake when Kirsty asleep and vice versa, meant a good chunk of 'quality time' with them both.

[Marja]

Oh my gosh I had no idea the thread got locked and the new one started so I spent the last few days thinking everyone had gone totally quiet!

I skimmed the thread so far but then went downstairs to get some water and can only remember a few bits, lol.

Noemie refused to sleep in her moses basket. Let's hope the next kid does or else it will be a big wasted purchase! She hated being in the confined space where she couldn't see out the sides.

Nighttime bottles... never a problem if DH gets up to deal with it ;) I can see how breastfeeding would be easy in terms of rolling over and having baby latch on. Then again, I really liked the convenience of bottles so that I wasn't tied to being the sole source of milk. We have a mini fridge in Noemie's room that we used to keep bottles in at night so it saved us going down 2 flights of stairs to the kitchen in the middle of the night and she wasn't too bad about taking cool bottles so just a minute or two in the warmer and she was good to go. I think baby number 2 is going to be FF from the beginning.

Stevie, glad you're home :)

Pasty, sorry to hear DD has been so poorly but thank goodness for your Mom nearby. Hope DD feels better soon and that you don't come down with what she had.

Amy the photos of George are awesome! Such a cutie!

As for me, I had my NT scan today and phew, total relief it all looked good. So that's one hurdle done with. We also got a glimpse of an appendage between baby's legs so we're 90% sure this is a boy. My consultant is great about checking even this early but of course we won't go rushing out to buy blue just yet. I have another scan in a month's time so we will hope to get another glimpse then. Baby (we had been calling it Peanut and now it's Mr Peanut) was sucking his thumb so that's the scan pic I got today :) Maybe if I start scrapping again in this life time I'll do a page with it!

[GuernseyGirl]

Great scan picture! I've had two scans and they were both quite blob-like! if my 20 week one is like last time we couldn't see a thing! We didn't even get any pictures from that one.

I have no idea whether this baby is a boy or a girl - I don't really mind either way. A boy would be nice because it's mostly girls in the family (I've got a sister and she has a girl. My DH has 2 sisters - no children from them) but then a girl would cost less cos we have so much from DD already!! As long as it sleeps better than DD I don't mind :lol:

The weather is lovely here today - bright sunshine!
Probably taking DD swimming this afternoon - we go with a couple of girls from her nursery and their mums so its a nice afternoon out.

Hope everyone has a good day.

[Marja]

We didn't mind if it was a boy or girl this time. DH didn't care last time either. Me on the other hand really wanted a girl and would've been "disappointed" to have a boy. (Not disappointed but can't think of a different word). I have gotten rid of all of Noemie's clothes as she outgrows them anyway. We'd have bought all new stuff even if this was another girl anyway. We did keep her various toys like the swing and jumperoo though and we have what was her spare cot that we will use for this kid to begin with. Just need to get a nicer mattress as it came with the foam one. Just looking into tandem buggies now. They all look so ugly :( I wish Bugaboo did tandems, it would make my decision so easy!

Nice day here too. I have the gardeners coming shortly but will hope to get out for a walk a bit later in the day. As it's 2 of them I'd expect them to get more done than if just one showed up!

Hope everyone has a nice day :)

[Modie-may]

Lovely day here as well. Just dropped the car off at the garage, and when lachy is up we are popping to the supermarket and then I'm going to an exercise class with Lachy for an hour then it will be home and bed for Lachy and more racing around doing bit and pieces for me as our cleaner is away and I'm on housework duty for the next couple of weeks.

Great scan photo Marja, you going private?

[Marja]

My garden is already looking much nicer! I should've hired a gardener a long time ago!

Yes, I'm going private again! I have the same consultant as last time :)

[scrappydiva]

Hey peeps. Sorry I haven't been around for so long. I lost the thread ages ago and between morning sickness, chest infections, UTI's, DD's chest infection and trying to get our house on the market I haven't really had the inclination to do more than just drop in on my team thread and post the occassional comment on there. Thankfully I'm all done with the infections and the morning sickness seems to have disappeared. DH is currently finishing all the work in the house while DD and I are spending 2 weeks with my folks in Glasgow. DH has been offered a job here in Glasgow so I'm using the time to look at areas/houses/schools etc. I'm getting quite excited now as this means we'll be having another wee Scot. DD is Invernessian and this one will be Glaswegian. Eeeek!

[kezmoc]

Hi all, Just a quickie to let you all know that Aiden James was born by c-section 1/4/08 at 10.08am weighing 5lb 13.5oz. Came home from hosp yesterday afternoon a little sore but feeling on top of the world. Many thanks to all of you for your well wishes.

dont know how to get the pictures on here? (brain mush!) will try and change my avatar x x x x

[kezmoc]

hopefully my avatar is now a pic of our new bundle x

[Marja]

Congratulations Kerry! Wow you got to go home quickly! Welcome to the world Aiden!

[GuernseyGirl]

Congratulations Kerry! You did well to get home so quickly. Hope you can rest lots and little Aiden is a good boy for you!!! He looks lovely!

[Modie-may]

Congratulations Kerry, he's very cute.

[scrappydiva]

Congrats Kerry!!

[irishrainbow]

Congratulations Kerry - He's gorgeous.

[miss_sixty]

Congratulations, Kerry - he's gorgeous :)

[HOPEJACK]

Aww congrats Kerry - Aiden is gorgeous :wub: Hope you are feeling back to yourself in no time!

Marja that's a fab scan pic - my last one with this baby was v good too - they are becoming so much clearer all the time. I think they can normally tell the sex from about 12 weeks can't they - although all babies have a bump/thing bet their legs at an early age which either goes on to form a boy or girl bit :lol:

Gosh I kept so many of DD's clothes - she hardly wore most of them and quite a bit still has tags on. The only stuff I've bought new is the newborn stuff as I did throw all that as it was a bit 'bobbly' from washing/winding!! If this baby is a girl as they suspected then I will defo not need to buy much although will obviously buy the odd bit - have already bought a few girlie bits so I hope it is a girl - I couldn't resist :rolleyes:

Anthea - fab to know you will be moving nearer your folks! And glad to hear you are feeling much better now.

DD is still not 100%, she now has sticky eyes and an ear infection too :( I took her to the docs this morning as her eyes were v sticky. He doesn't think it's conjunctivitis but part of this viral infection she's had. She's been put on antibiotics as he said her ear is very inflamed and sore looking. She's still coughing lots and snotty too! Poor little thing - I feel for her so much but she, in herself, is a lot better.

[Modie-may]

Poor thing Patsy. I hope you are getting some rest as well.

[nikkimitch]

wow Kerry that was a quick discharge after a section - gorgeous picture congratulations :)

[Amelie]

argh i lost you all!
Amy the pictures are GREAT!!
Kerry and Stevie CONGRATULATIONS!

[Modie-may]

Amelie, like the photo of Oscar and Maica on your blog. The close up ones of Maica are gorgeous too. Also liking the LO. WEll done you!!

[HOPEJACK]

Oooh just been off for a peek Amelie - how amazing is that B&W montage - I wish you lived near me to take some pics! Been reading your tips though - fab!

I'm not sure if I'm leaking fluid - long story but I've been getting yellowy trickles - started last night (maybe it's wee??). Getting a few pains now too but just trying to put it out of my mind for the time being. Probably just bh again.

Anyone whose waters went slowly - what did it look like/feel like (I'm 37 weeks today!).

PS - DD a lot better today although we had an awful night last night with her coughing lots so not much sleep!

[Modie-may]

Can't help you Patsy but glad to hear DD definately on the mend.

[Marja]

I think there is supposed to be a sweet smell if it's fluid and it would smell like pee if it's pee. Are you using a panty liner or anything to catch it? Might be an idea to sniff it (nice conversations we have huh?). Or, call your midwife as you're better safe than sorry if you are indeed leaking fluid.

[Amelie]

Patsy- yep use a pantyliner or something and they can test it to see if its amniotic fluid

thanks mel :wub:
xx

[HOPEJACK]

Certainly smells sweet (yuck) but I've been getting loads of watery discharge too so it could be that (sorry tmi). Just going to see how it goes - Amelie - good advice about the pad thanks!

[GuernseyGirl]

Oh Patsy - take care! Is your DH still away?? Let's hope he's about if/when anything happens.

I can't wait for my 16 week check next wednesday - I'm hoping that hearing the heartbeat will ease my anxiousness......I don't remember feeling like this last time but I keep thinking something terrible has happened. It's been 5 long weeks since my scan and the last couple of weeks I've been worrying.....I'm trying to reason with myself, but until I hear the heartbeat I don't think I'm going to settle. I seem to have stopped growing as well.

[scrappydiva]

Naomi, I've been having the same worries. I'm 18 weeks now and am having a midwife appointment next week - so I'm hoping that I'll be able to hear the heartbeat next week too!

[scrappinglisa]

Been without internet, just got back online. Will be back soon to catch up properly.

[Modie-may]

Hugs to you guys who are worried, try and relax a bit for your own peace of mind.

[Marja]

{{{hugs}}} to those of you worrying. Naomi (and possibly Anthea, can't remember if this is your first or if you already have kids) are you not feeling movement yet? Just curious as I've read that you feel baby sooner the 2nd time around and I'm trying to work out when I might start feeling something. I think I felt movement last time at around 20 weeks? Might've been a bit earlier.

It's perfectly normal to worry though I'm sure all is fine. Have you both considered renting a doppler until you can consistently feel baby moving? I bought one last time and used it every few days until I could feel movement regularly and then used it on the days I didn't feel as much movement as usual. Last time I found the heartbeat at around 14 weeks (I only bought it at that point) and this time I found heartbeat at 9 weeks so it's been nice and reassuring. I check every 3-4 days now so it's one less thing to worry about. The wait between scans feels like forever.

[Amelie]

i recommend a doppler as well... bought mine from ebay,(a hibebe one) and it was so reassuring!
xx

[nikkimitch]

me too - have loved my doppler - planning to pass it on to my sisinlaw when LO arrives but I am sure it would be easy to resell on ebay

mine is a hibebe one and cost £45 including postage - worth every penny to me for reassurance

[scrappydiva]

{{{hugs}}} to those of you worrying. Naomi (and possibly Anthea, can't remember if this is your first or if you already have kids) are you not feeling movement yet? Just curious as I've read that you feel baby sooner the 2nd time around and I'm trying to work out when I might start feeling something. I think I felt movement last time at around 20 weeks? Might've been a bit earlier.

It's perfectly normal to worry though I'm sure all is fine. Have you both considered renting a doppler until you can consistently feel baby moving? I bought one last time and used it every few days until I could feel movement regularly and then used it on the days I didn't feel as much movement as usual. Last time I found the heartbeat at around 14 weeks (I only bought it at that point) and this time I found heartbeat at 9 weeks so it's been nice and reassuring. I check every 3-4 days now so it's one less thing to worry about. The wait between scans feels like forever.


This is my 2nd. The first one I got a good walloping kick at 19 weeks. This time round I'm feeling small wriggly movements ocassionally but no big kicks yet. I'm hoping that I'll feel something soon! I reckon a doppler might be a good idea... that way I can also get DD to hear her siblings heart beat.

[HOPEJACK]

Anthea/Naomi - I was 16 weeks with DD when I felt first movement - which I was told was early. And I felt this one around 10 weeks believe it or not (squirming/swirling around not kicking - don't think you feel kicks til much later). I wasn't sure at first but I knew it was defo movements around 12 weeks. But m/w did tell me some people feel them earlier than others and as I was early with DD, I'd probably be earlier with this one.

I never got a doppler - kept thinking about it but never did! I had a scan at 8.5 weeks because of a small bleed at my Mum's local hospital (was visiting at the time), then my hospital wouldn't scan me at 12 weeks and made me wait until 20 weeks which seemed forever!

Thankfully things have calmed down again here, still got v runny discharge but I'm sure that's all it is. I do think the baby dropped it a bit more yesterday and that's why I was getting the shooting pains etc. At hospital on Mon so we'll see what they say.

DD also well on the mend (I hope) although she still has runny nose and cough/cold - she's had it a week now which is very unlike her.

[scrappydiva]

Yeah I've been feeling these swirly movements since about 12/13 weeks. I just wish I could start feeling 'proper' movements now.

[GuernseyGirl]

I've not even had that yet. I vaguely remember feeling the first 'flutterings' at around 16 weeks with DD (we were on holiday) but I'm 15 weeks now and felt nothing - one day I thought I had but not since!

Going to see how much doplers are on ebay

[irishrainbow]

Felt flutterings at 18 weeks approx with DD1 and at about 16 weeks with Kirsty. Also found I felt alot more movement overall with Kirsty but put that down to the fact I was wasn't working and was less distracted. LOL

[Amelie]

Yeah I've been feeling these swirly movements since about 12/13 weeks. I just wish I could start feeling 'proper' movements now.

do you have an anterior placenta? sometimes that can cushion movements. if you're worried you could make an appt with the midwife to check the heartbeat
xxx

[scrappydiva]

I have an appointement with the midwife on Wednesday for routine check, so I'll ask her then. Thanks for the advice. No idea where the placenta is, so I'll see if we can find out.

[scrappinglisa]

Can't remember if I've said congratulations Kerry so congratulations. Hope all is going well and you are feeling ok, I had a c-section and came out 2 days later too. I was so glad to be homeand it's a lot easier being in your own home.

Patsy, glad things are improving with your DD.

I felt movements with Flynn around 14/15 weeks, with DS1 I got my first flutter about 17/18 weeks. With Flynn though I didn't get hardly any movements after the first movements till 20 ish weeks.

Everything is good hear, just trying to decide when to start weaning Flynn, it was going to be this week as he was waking lots in the night but now he's going 9 hours! Will see how he is tonight but may start tomorrow.

I took some photos of Flynn and Ethan at the weekend after getting a sheet of white fabric (photos on blog), I'm really pleased the results especially as I was just having a play around. I really wanted some photos for the house but the professional ones are just so expensive now.

[Amelie]

Lisa they're lovely!! do you have photoshop? would you like me to lighten up the backgrounds for you?
xx

[scrappinglisa]

Thanks Amelie, I do have photoshop but haven't a clue how to use it. I just don't know where to start with photoshop. Would be great if you could lighten the couple I'm going to get printed. Ethan has a spot on his nose I want to get rid of, any tips how to do that?

I'm really enjoying the freedom of taking the photos myself - just need a DSLR now.

[Amelie]

Lisa can i have your email?they're too big to attach here lol
xx

[Amelie]

I've removed the spot for you, but so you know how, you need to use the 'heal' tool. it looks like a plaster lol. hold down 'alt' and click where you want to copy the skin from. then just click over the spot and it should blend it over.
xx

[Modie-may]

I have photoshop as well and simply cannot get to grips with it. Amelie you moved to Spain too soon, we could've hired you to teach us:lol:

[Amelie]

haha aww!
Its a difficult program to work with, i'm still learning new things and i've been using it since i was a kid.
if theres anything in particular you want to do, let me know and i'll try and explain it!
xx

[scrappinglisa]

I agree Mel, come Amelie and give us Photoshop lessons :lol:

[HOPEJACK]

Lisa - your pics are gorgeous! I'm useless with Photoshop too - I really think it's a package you need to take a course on as even the help function is pants!

Sorry to say feeling sorry for myself today - getting horrific back ache (Cons at hospital yesterday said baby is back to back so that's maybe why - I just hope it moves for the labour!), and just generally feeling tired (now got DD's cold although she's much better now). She was up at 6 am and it's my own fault but I didn't get to bed until 10.45 pm last night so feeling very run down and tired. We also ended up at a hideously busy soft play with friends this morning (booked ages ago) and it was hell as I had to keep going after DD as I couldn't see her so I'm knackered from that! Lord only knows how I'm going to cope with a newborn in a few weeks too - for about the last 10 weeks I've just felt exhausted and it doesn't seem to be improving! :rolleyes: I'm on iron tabs too so I know it's not really anaemia!

Did anyone else feel the same when preggers with their second/subsequent babies - am really worried about the tiredness and coping?

Naomi/Anthea - let's hope you feel some whopping movements soon then :D I think all babies are different and as Amelie says a lot can be to do with the way they are lying. While I felt flutterings early - I'm sure I was about 15/16 weeks again before I felt kicks.

[GuernseyGirl]

My DD was back to back during labour - I did wonder why all the pain was in my back, never really felt any tummy contractions! She did turn at the end though!

Hope you will be able to rest as much as possible - I know that's easier said than done with one already! I'm dreading the tiredness & coping already!!

Got a midwife appointment tomorrow - really hoping to hear the heartbeat - I'm so anxious I'm not sleeping well now.

[HOPEJACK]

Naomi - was it a long labour? I've heard back to back babies tend to be longer labours and it can take them a good while to turn if they are going to.

I found I was tired (and sick) at the beginning of the pregnancy until about 15 weeks then felt great until about 22 weeks then downhill from there really. It didn't help that we moved when I was 25 weeks and that just finished me off really - never really felt energetic after that :lol:

Everyone keeps telling me the tiredness with 2 is a killer but it's much easier with the newborn as you've done it before. I can't remember much at all about DD and the early days - bit of a blur so I just hope people are right!

Good luck at the appt tomorrow - it is v worrying not having movements but I'm sure all is OK - did you say you were looking for a doppler? I never had one but I know people swear by them.

[GuernseyGirl]

I thought about a doppler but I'll just wait and see until tomorrow - I think I'll feel better once I've heard the heartbeat for the first time!

Long labour? I'm not really sure how people count the time of their labour.....I had niggly pains from 2am Sat morning throughout the day but by tea time (6ish) it was starting to get worse - got to hospital at 2.30am Sun morning and was 5cm dilated - tens machine & then gas & air, sat rocking back and forwards on the side of the bed for a few hours (!!!) and DD finally arrived at 1.39pm.

I hadn't heard of back to back at all until after I'd given birth!!! To be honest, once I had the tens machine it was better and the gas & air really helped!!!

Can they turn before labour starts?

[scrappydiva]

DD was back to back too, she tried to turn during labour but got stuck so had to be delivered by forceps. Labour was about 13.5 hours... not sure if that's long... but it was blooming painful!!

[HOPEJACK]

Thanks Anthea & Naomi :) There is always 'something' isn't there!! Yes apparently they can turn before or in labour but not always - more likely with a second though as there is more room! The prob I have is, if the baby stays in this position, the hospital I'm booked to is Midwife Led - so no ventouse/forceps if needed - literally it means being shipped in an ambulance to the nearest 'medical labour ward' which is 15 mins in good traffic - don't fancy that tbh in mid labour!!

I think I've read/been told around 12 hours is the average for a first time labour - but I don't think they class you in labour until you are 3 cm dilated -'established labour'. As a lot of women know though, you can get lots of nasty pains well before you even start to dilate or get to 3 cm!! Hence why I think some women say they were in labour 36 hours etc.

My first labour was 7.5 hours but I was induced - the pains did start slowish but kind of got to full force quite quickly - I don't think it was like a 'natural' labour where it can be hours of dull pains first. So it's a bit different this time as I don't know what to expect. Two cons have now said I'll probably be quick but obviously the back to back thing has thrown a spanner in the works slightly! :rolleyes:

Naomi - thinking of you today - let us know how you get on x

Hope everyone else is OK... :)

[scrappydiva]

Yup, I reckon loads of women overestimate their labour time because they're having contractions. My 13.5 hours was from the time that the midwives said I was in established labour... although I'd been in the hospital since 2am that morning. Established labour was only confirmed at about 6am and DD was born at 7.30pm. I was put on shared care last time because I'm at high risk of gestational diabetes so was very grateful at the end that I could have a forceps delivery. I was suprised to find out later that it would have been more difficult to get an obstetrician out if I'd simply been on midwife lead - even tho' its all in the same hospital!! I wouldn't even have had to do the ambulance dash to another hospital, but it would still have caused problems. This time round I requested shared care... once again I'm on high risk for gestational diabetes, but also due to DD's forceps delivery I'm apparently more likely to need it again this time round. I don't mind as long as I have all the services available when I need it!

Saw the midwife today. Bump is the right size and the heartbeat was amazingly strong. Very reassuring! DD's eyes went as big as saucers when she heard the heartbeat and we told her that was the baby. Suddenly it all became very real to her I think.

[GuernseyGirl]

Just back from midwives - all is ok.......phew!!

I told her how I'd been feeling and had a little cry - then didn't think I was going to be able to stop!! She felt bump and said it feels about 17 weeks but I'm only 16 - might have been my lunch she felt !!!!!!!

Then got the doppler out to listen for heartbeat - it took AGES to find it and I was thinking, it's dead, it's dead, it's gone.....talk about getting in a state! Then, I heard it!!! It was between 125 and 140....reckon it's a boy! (was told last time if under 140 its a boy and over 140 is a girl - it was true for DD!).

Anyway, she told me that I can call the midwives at any time and not to sit at home and worry! I just don't like to feel like I'm being a nuisance.

Feeling calmer now - and surprisingly, my BP was ok!!

Sorry for being such a ninny! I'm going to try to calm down now and try to enjoy being pregnant!

[irishrainbow]

Glad it all turned out all right Naomi - you have my sympathy, at one MW appt with Kirsty it took ages for her to find the heartbeat and I was having a complete paddy by the time she located it.

At our hospital my labour was recorded as 1hr 16mins, even though I'd been having pains all morning and into the afternoon. I think they took 'established' labour from the point when I asked for the gas and air!

[nikkimitch]

So glad it was all ok Naomi - sounds like a nice midwife too.

My first labour was 45 hours from arriving at hospital 2-3 cm dilated with my waters having already broken - but established labour was 12 hours - timed from when I was moved to the delivery suite because I needed pain relief - it is a variable time as it depends on the mothers pain threshhold among other things. My second was 45 minutes from being first examined again 2-3 cm to dd being born.

Saw my midwife today for 37 week appointment bp ok and despite nurse yesterday (had a private medical for an insurance policy) finding protein in my sample all clear today so can relax - just wish things would get started as more than ready to hold my baby now :)

[HOPEJACK]

Aww Anthea & Naomi so pleased all was well for you both today - DD also gets excited at hearing the heartbeat - she always says 'that's my little sister'!

Anthea at our midwife led unit they won't even use forceps apparently?? So it's off to another hospital with a baby stuck! Surely that must be incredibly dangerous? I did ask about it but was told it "wouldn't happen".... All a bit odd - it's only been m/w led for about 6-7 months so things are still a bit 'raw' with a lot of the staff there etc.

Hi Laura - hope things are OK going with your two. Kirsty must be getting big now!

Nikki - you'll know better than me about est labour times being a GP. Bit of a difference in your timings!! Glad m/w didn't find any protein and BP OK.

I too am ready for the baby - bit fed up now tbh as just feeling exhausted and full of cold but I guess it means baby is better off inside until I feel a bit better.... :rolleyes:

[scrappydiva]

Wow, I'm glad I'm on shared care Patsy! I couldn't stand the thought of having to ship to another hospital with a stuck baby.

[Marja]

Naomi glad your appt turned out well! It's natural to worry and I'm sure the midwives are used to getting panicked calls. It's their job to reassure you.

My labor with DD was.... 0 minutes. Never went into labor. :lol:

[Marja]

Pasty, sorry to hear you're caught DD's cold :( Hope you manage some rest and feel better soon. I am far more exhausted this time than my last pregnancy, mainly as I can't nap as and when I want to like I did last time!!

[Amelie]

Maica was back to back, and boy i felt it (well when the epidural wore off ;)) she was forceps delivered too. at soon as they broke my waters the head midwife told them to put me on a drip and give me an epidural because the back labour would be hard. i refused both until it became unbearable though.
i don't know when they counted the start of my labour from... but on my papers it said 29.5 hours :o LOL. 12 hours from when they broke my waters though.
xx
edit to add... to try and spin Maica i spent 2 weeks leaning over a birthball. and they told me to make sure i didnt slouch back in chairs etc becuase it'd mean the baby would be more likely to roll back to back. nothing worked though..but its worth trying really!

[HOPEJACK]

Thanks Amelie - I think I may have to change my preferred delivery place at this rate. The midwife led unit don't have epidurals or forceps/ventouse either (don't get me wrong not something I've 'planned' but I think I have to be realistic) - eventhough it's in a hospital! I don't fancy an ambulance drive off to another hospital 20 mins + away in mid labour if things don't go to plan. I'll be disappointed as I really wanted to deliver there.

I just can't believe I've been left being told this and now don't see my m/w again until 40 weeks! So if I go into labour in the meantime there isn't much I can do really! I'm going to ring my m/w I think and ask what they think is best - otherwise I'm incommunicado!! Cons seemed to think baby would turn in labour but it may not too and how long could that take!

I'm sitting at a dining chair as much as I can in the day (when I'm not up and about). I think this position has honestly come from last week when my DD was poorly as we didn't leave the house for days and I spent hours on the sofa with her. But now baby seems to have got into this position it seems comfortable to it!!! :rolleyes:

Amelie - I know a few people who have had second babies go back to back as well (it's not a given but it does seem to happen again in some women) and they've opted for a section after having the first!

[scrappydiva]

Patsy, I'd be inclined to change hospitals too. I'm afraid an Epidural is the first thing on my list this time round... it was bliss when I *finally* got one last time.

[irishrainbow]

Glad to hear your DD is on the mend Patsy but sorry you are having such a bad time of it. Will be keeping my fingers crossed that the baby will turn for you.

Kirsty is doing well - she is 7 weeks old tomorrow - can't believe how time is flying by. She has been giving us the loveliest smiles for the last week or so and is getting much more interested in her surroundings. DD1 has settled down as well and is adjusting much better to being a sister.

[GuernseyGirl]

Amelie - I know a few people who have had second babies go back to back as well (it's not a given but it does seem to happen again in some women) and they've opted for a section after having the first!

Oh great! I didn't know DD was back to back until after. On one of my later appointments last time they said her bottom was at the front so she wasn't back to back at that point!

Now thinking about it I wonder if the rocking I did when in labour helped to turn her around?? Who knows. I managed with tens machine and gas & air, although I remember thinking at the time that if I had another I'd probably ask for more pain relief early on - no medals for trying to be brave!!!! And a shot of pethadine might make the baby sleep for a few hours!!! (DD didn't sleep the first night she was born and none of the nights following either for a LONG LONG time!!!!!!!)

[HOPEJACK]

Naomi / Anthea

I've got a friend who is a trainee midwife (finishes this year) and she's sent me some links to stuff that says epidurals are apparently the worst thing to give a woman with back to back labour (although clearly if the pain is that bad then I guess it's a double edged sword) - reason being (and they are not sure why) that the epidural makes it very difficult for the baby to turn naturally apparently... Like you said Naomi - the best thing apparently is a tens machine (back pain) and trying to help the baby turn by rotating/wiggling your pelvis...??

I don't know what to think really - defo going to speak to my midwife but I know she'll pooh pooh it probably as baby could turn - it hasn't yet - seems to have got comfortable in this position I'm afraid :rolleyes:

Laura - so pleased to hear things getting better for you now - you've passed the magic 6 week mark :) Glad to hear DD1 settling better now too. Am having a few probs with my DD at night and I'm sure it's related to knowing the baby will be here soon - don't want to bore peeps with it but it's awful :(

[Modie-may]

Patsy, Lachlan was back to back - something I wasn't told until a couple of weeks later. I was induced and only JUST got to 3cm on the Monday morning from Saturday night. At this point I'd had an epidural as they needed me to sleep. It was painful but I had been told "sprout" as he was then was head down in the right position and good to go, but I was going to have a long but very small baby probably slightly underweight. So a back to back labour that resulted in a C-section and a 9lb 14oz baby later - they were proved wrong.

Do what you can to turn it even if an old wives tale says to put fried eggs on your bump! It's NOT fun.

[scrappydiva]

Patsy, I must admit that I didn't know that about the epidural. However, in my case it wasn't a problem as they only gave me the epidural when I went into theatre to have the forceps delivery done. Apparently they were worried that if forceps didn't work they would have to do an immediate C-section, hence the epidural. I would have been all ready and prepped if that had needed to happen. Luckily DD came out with the forceps tho'... although she had a sore shoulder for months after so I reckon that's what got her stuck as she tried to turn around during the labour.

This time round I'm asking for an epidural ASAP.

[Modie-may]

Did you try cranial oesteopathy with her Anthea? I've heard it's very good esp in cases like that. Just realigns them.

[scrappydiva]

No I've never heard of that Mel. What is it? Something to do with the head, judging by the word "cranial".

[Modie-may]

Yeah, it's kinda manipulation and they get the body back into alignment after the birthing process, can be helpful for feeding, sleeping etc. There are baby specialists that do this. it's all very gentle. Can be helpful for colic etc, theres a good amount of info on the net.

[scrappydiva]

Wow, I might ahve to look into it next time. Must say tho' although DD's arm/shoulder was sore we didnt' have any other problems with her. SHe fed ok and slept through at 6 weeks. Now she uses that arm well and doesn't have any problems so it doesn't seem as if its caused any lasting problems. Will have to see about it when the next one arrives.

[GuernseyGirl]

I considered this when DD was born - we had lots of problems and some of which I wondered if they were due to the birth and just after (she swallowed meconium, had it sucked out etc, needed oxygen etc) but didn't know enough about it or have the energy to investigate - don't know if there is anyone in Guernsey that does it either.

It's meant to be very effective.

[HOPEJACK]

Also consider a chiropractor. I took DD at 6 weeks as she was colicky and it was becoming a nightmare tbh - she was a different baby even after the first treatment. You have to ensure your Chiropractor is used to dealing with babies but most are. I haven't had her 'checked' since we moved in Jan (she used to go every 6 months for a check as children often put something out of alignment but can't really tell you IYSWIM) but I do intend to take all 3 of us along (Me, baby, DD) once I've had the baby for a check up. I've been going since we moved and although I'm struggling with my back, it's helping a lot. Apparently she said my pelvis is very loose which is good news for labour??

God, I'm whinging again but does anyone know what I can take for a head cold - just taking paracetamol at the mo? I've got a really painful head (esp when I move) and all bunged up around sinuses etc with this cold. Doesn't help the issues we are having with DD as the lack of sleep is killing me :( We've all got cold and it's not helping any of us!!

[Modie-may]

Don't think you can take anything sweetie sorry. Go to your local pharmacy and ask them for the best advice.

[HOPEJACK]

I know Mel - I think paracetamol is as good as it gets when pregnant! I think we need some sunshine/warmth - well for longer than half an hour a day which is what we get right now!

Just noticed your target for your LOs for 2008 - wow you are ambitious but I must say 15 so far is fairly good :) I never seem to get any done!

[Modie-may]

I did hardly any last year but am really getting back into the swing of things now.

Took some photos of Lachy the other day if you'd like to see them they are here (http://www.bigbluecouch.karumba.co.nz/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=21)

[HOPEJACK]

Awww Mel he is adorable! I love his cheeky little face! I'm not surprised you are getting into the swing of scrapping again with such a munchkin to scrap :wub:

[Modie-may]

Thanks:love: The ones of him with the towel on his head are my current favs. I need to update my website with my NZ photos etc. That's where the one of my avatar was taken.

[SasB]

Hi All,

sorry keep meaning to get back on and catch up properly, but never seem tohave the time and you are all chatting too fast!! So decided just to j ump back in and go from here. Sylvie is doing fine, she had her 2 week check on Tuesday - 2 weeks where has it gone. The other 2 love her - not the slightest sign of jealousy from them but DD has been playing up with me and DS a bit clingy, but nothing unbearable. My mum is here at the moment and has been an absolute trooper getting the house organised again, clearing out the garage, starting to pack stuff etc - so much that i am almost lokking forward to a rest when she goes!

Sorry to run..DD2 crying for a clean nappy.

Hope everyone is doing well.

[GuernseyGirl]

SasB - good to hear from you - sounds like everything is going well!!!

Patsy - have you tried steaming - can you use vick or menthal crystals when pregnant? Put a little bit in the water - can help with blocked sinuses! (might clear your pores and give you spots too but that's just a risk you'd have to take :lol:

[HOPEJACK]

Stevie - lovely to hear from you - glad your Mum is able to help out. Can't believe Sylvie is 2 weeks already! My DD has started being really clingy the last week or so - she's been really poorly though so I don't know if it's down to that or the fact the new baby will be here soon??

Naomi - steam did cross my mind - don't think you can put anything in the water though but it should help - showers etc help. I just need to get the time to have a go! Might tonight as Mum is taking DD to hers so I can get a full nights sleep and a lie in - was in bed for 7.30 pm last night! But we were both up and down in the night to DD which is becoming unbearable!

Hope everyone else is well.

[scrappydiva]

Patsy, I think you *can* use olbas oil. Put some of that in hot water and steam away! I've used it in the past and never had any midwife or doctor complain when I asked.

[Modie-may]

Stevie, loving your avatar hun. Gorgeous.

[HOPEJACK]

Anthea when I was pregnant with DD I was told not to use Olbas Oil - I think it depends on who you speak to tbh - a lof of medical people seem loathe to say anything at all these days just in case of any comeback! I've been using Olbas Oil (children's one) and rubbing snuffle stuff (like Vicks but childrens) on her chest so I guess I'm probably absorbing some that way anyway!

[Modie-may]

If vicks is ok, you could always melt some in a bowl of boiling water.

[SasB]

Thanks Mel, DH is really into his photography at the moment so hopefully he will get some nice pics of her.

Patsy hope you are feeling better - its horrible towards the end, especially when you are ill as well.

I stood on the scales yesterday and got a nice surprise - I am 38 lbs lighter than when I conceived - mind you doing weight watchers would have been more enjoyable!!

Hope everyone else is OK, my mother goes this week ;-( but it should make it easier to get online again.

[GuernseyGirl]

I stood on the scales yesterday and got a nice surprise - I am 38 lbs lighter than when I conceived - mind you doing weight watchers would have been more enjoyable!!

Wow! That's really good - yes, WW might have been more enjoyable but you wouldn't have had a beautiful little baby at the end of it!!!


Hope everyone else is OK, my mother goes this week ;-( but it should make it easier to get online again.

Every cloud has a silver lining! :lol:


I had some really bad headaches yesterday - had to lay down somewhere dark! Took a paracetamol - had been trying to do without any but just couldn't cope any more. Seemed to ease off then came back just before tea time - had to lay down again with my eyes shut. DH told me he feels like a single parent on Sundays because I always end up sleeping or ill or something!! I wonder if it will ever get better???

[SasB]

Yes you will Naomi - in about 163 days. Seriously though, sorry you are feeling lousy and hope the headaches are gone today. I was so full of drugs in my last 3 months - really quite taken aback at how "happy' the Drs were to give pain killers etc just to dull my symptons. They have a wonderful prodict over here (they called it T3, Tylenol 3, a paracetamol/codeine mix) worked a treat but would literally knock me out for a couple of hours - one way to get away from the headache.

[HOPEJACK]

Naomi - have you thought about acupuncture? I suffered with terrible, debilitating headaches in both pregnancies (in this one from about 8 weeks until about 23 weeks ish, a bit less time in the first pregnancy). I used paracetamol but it didn't help (I'm sure they are smarties rebranded!). I tried acupuncture at around 10 weeks in desperation and while the headaches didn't completely go it did help a lot.

Sas - I've heard the Americans rave about T3. I remember in my first pregnancy that my GP prescribed codeine - maybe for the headaches? - can't remember). I didn't take any though as I was too scared after all the speil he gave me about them! Silly eh. Glad you are getting back to normal. I'm pretty wrecked tbh - tired, aching blah blah (was at the docs today as I have really bad sinusitis but they wouldn't prescribe anything - just paracetamol!!). In some ways I'm dreading the lack of sleep coming (although I'm not getting full nights now due to DD) but in others everyone says physically you start to recover quickly and feel much better after your second - here's hoping that's true!

I have 1.5 weeks left until due date!! But watch, the baby will be late, esp as by my dates I'm due about 5 days after hospital dates! Been getting lots of period type pains - pretty severe ones in bed last night and I wondered if it was starting but it's calmed down again today! :rolleyes:

[Modie-may]

I found a eye mask that you put in the fridge a must have for my headaches.

After having DS I was also lighter than before I conceived. I lost a stone in the first four months of pregnancy. Bizarre how it happens sometimes....

[scrappydiva]

I didn't gain any weight with DD, so when I weighed myself about 2 days after giving birth I found I was a stone and a half lighter!

This time round I've actually lost 12lbs since I had my booking in appt. I think most of that is due to the morning sickness (which has now come back again) and the rest is due to the horrible antibiotics I had for my chest infection. They really made me throw up rather badly.

My friends call it 'The P-plan diet', but unfortunately out of our group it only seems to work for me. Lucky, aren't I? LOL.

[Modie-may]

I think mine happened due to morning sickness and lack of alcohol!!:lol:

[scrappydiva]

LOL@ the lack of alchohol. Now that is one area I'm still not giving up on. Sure I've limited it to about 2 units/week, but I refuse to give it up entirely... much to my midwife's horror. However, I discussed it with my GP when I was pg with DD and he said that 2 units would be ok... well actually he said up to 8 units/week. But I don't drink that much even when I'm NOT pg!!

[scrappinglisa]

:lol: Mel

Naomi hope your headaches ease, I had them at times during my pregnancy and only sleep help!

I lost a stone in weight just weeks after finding out I was pregnant due to Hyperemesis. The worst diet in the world, I don't think I've ever felt so ill. Hope all those that are feeling sick are feeling better soon.

Flynn had his first tastes of solids yesterday and all went well and he took to it great - so pleased that he and me waited. He slept over 11 hours last night so I felt on top of the world this morning. Hoping he does the same tonight :rolleyes:

[GuernseyGirl]

Wow Lisa - sounds like a good sleep! Glad Flynn took to solids ok - another milestone and another sign that babies aren't babies for long!!

When pregnant with DD i did put on about 2 stone but was back to my pre pregnancy weight quite quickly afterwards. However, lots of getting up in the night and going downstairs to get a bottle etc ended up with me with my hand in the biscuit tin at the same time for a midnight snack and I soon put on a stone!

Hopefully I learnt the last time and will lock the biscuit tin and throw away the key this time - or, better still, have a baby that sleeps at night!! :lol:

I had lost 1/2 stone since becoming pregnant, although I weighed myself this morning and I've put on a couple of pounds. Not too worried - a girl at my work who is about two or three weeks ahead of me has put on a stone and a half already! I'm still in some of my 'normal' trousers (the looser ones!) and most of the maternity clothes I have just fall off!

Headaches were better yesterday but feel one coming on now (and I'm at work) but think I might look for one of the eye masks Mel mentioned.

[HOPEJACK]

I put on about 2.5 stone with DD last time - and didn't lose just under a stone of that - it just stayed on, but I did read if you breastfeed, although you lose weight quicker in the beginning, you tend to keep 10 lb - 1 stone on naturally to help with making milk! I had just started to get back into some size 12 bottoms when I found out I was pregnant again.

I've put on 2 stone this time but I don't think that's too bad. Been told the baby will be over 8lb so... I actually feel as though I haven't put as much weight on this time - managed to get into a size 12 maternity t-shirt the other day - been in size 14 mostly except at the beginning.

I feel for all you ladies being sick - it's not nice. I hope you all feel better soon. My nausea has returned but I haven't been too sick - just the odd occasion in the shower.

Well more pains last night in bed - felt like I had a really bad stitch/cramp in my tummy at one point - it was bad!! But all quiet again this morning. Although I've got 1.5 weeks until D day I'm now convinced I'm going to go over. My DD's birthday is next Wednesday so I'd really like to be around for that! Don't fancy 2 birthdays so close together!

Lisa - great to hear Flynn taking to solids - how old is he now? That's fab sleeping 11 hours - I rarely get that from DD :rolleyes: Still having probs with her in the night but most people I speak to think it's down to the new baby coming. She did actually sleep last night for 10 hours all the way through so not too bad - just wish it was more regular :rolleyes:

[nikkimitch]

Same here Patsy - had some good regular tightenings last night all settled by this morning - 2 and a bit weeks til D day for me but DD's birthday next Tuesday and would really like to avoid that if I can (hope LO is listening :lol:) while at the same time want it over asap as sooooo uncomfortable now.

Fantastic sleeping Flynn - My eldest 9age 6 ) is just about managing that but the other 2 still wake most nights - we just dont do good sleep in this family - apart from dh who seems oblivious to all the nighttime wanderings :lol:

[GuernseyGirl]

Does anyone know if it is ok to use 4head when pregnancy?

I was thinking that it would be ok as it's not tablets but it says that there is no evidence of side-effects although no safety data is available.....are they just covering their backs?

[HOPEJACK]

I was told by my midwife I could use it in short bursts Naomi - it's actually quiet good but I've found it only works if you can lie down and relax while using it.

[irishrainbow]

i put on 1 1/2 stone with Kirsty but have lost most of it - unfortunately that still leaves me overweight! Finding that pushing the double buggy round our hilly estate is better than a gym membership though.LOL

Hope everyone well.

[Modie-may]

Love the avatar Laura.

[scrappydiva]

Why cant I see Laura's avatar??

[Modie-may]

Aww Anthea don't know why but you are missing out on a cutie. Can you not see others?

[scrappydiva]

I can see all the others. Its just random ones I can't see like Laura's. I asked why in Testing and Help a while ago, but nobody could give me an answer. So i'm still confused.

[Modie-may]

Could it be like when I looked at the Scrapagogo website when they changed the kit on the home page, I could see half the old kit and half the new and had to go and clear the cookies on the pooter before I could see it properly. Don't ask me what cookies are as unless they are in a jar, I have no idea:D

[irishrainbow]

Love the avatar Laura.

Thanks Mel - took loads of photos last Thursday to celebrate Kirsty being 7 weeks old and this was one of the good ones. Can't believe how 'wide eyed' she is now in comparsion to when she was born.

[michmad]

Hi all

Just checking in. Have been so busy lately haven't had time to do anything but read posts everyday! Parents in law have been staying for 10 days. Still trying to figure out if it was a help or a hindrance??? probably the latter!

Patsy - Sorry to hear you've had such a rough time with DD being ill and not feeling 100% yourself.

Stevie - Sylvie is beautiful!

My news - I have exactly 1 week to go today till my c section. Can't wait now - starting to get really excited. Pleased to say the baby room is ready and my bags are packed! Just going to pick up a few last minute goodies tomorrow when DS is at school and DD at the childminder and then we're all set!!!

Nicki - I see I'm having baby on your DD's b-day! Must be a good day then!

I hope everyone else is keeping well. I'll try and check in before I go to say goodbye!

Michelle
xxx

[Harrys_Gal]

OMG .... I thought you lot had been quiet ... but no you moved threads and now I am 11 pages behind all the gossip lol

Hope you are all well ..... Blob and I are doing great .... blob is very very active these days which is lovely but tiring ... especially when s/he decides its FA cup practice time at 2 in the morning :lol:
Can't you tell its all new to me and still very exciting ;)

Anyway must go and jump in the shower

Love and bump rubs to you all

Kate and Littl' Blob xxxxxx

[GuernseyGirl]

Laura - your picture is gorgeous - what a beautiful little girl!

Michelle - hope all goes well next week!

nice to see you Kate

All well here - still can't wait for baby to move though - surely it's going to be soon?

[SasB]

Laura - love your avatar - shes beautiful,
Glad you are well Kate - Sylvie used to do gymnastics from midnight til 5am...every night when she was still a blob!
Michelle - good luck for your section.

Went to Edmonton to take my mother back to the airport yesterday ;-(, she bought me a glider chair and stool while we were there - the chair is just fantastic (stool can't be put together as wrong base/top combination were in the box - waiting for babies r us to call me back as I'm not driving all the way back there (3 1/2 hours /220 miles each way) just to change it) its great sitting nursing rocking gently - love it.

Right need to start sorting out how we are going to get the dogs back to the UK...start by saying goodbye to $5000! Gulp. Then see if BT will give us a phone line (a nightmare as we have been overseas for the last 3 years so they have no current history on us!) Ho hum the joys of moving. Packed the first couple of boxes last week.

[Modie-may]

When are you coming back, Stevie? My friends moved home to NZ a couple of mths ago and took the cat and it cost them £2,500, it only cost £4000 to ship there houseload of furniture back!

[A_M_Y]

Then see if BT will give us a phone line (a nightmare as we have been overseas for the last 3 years so they have no current history on us!)

When we moved back to the UK, i had been abroad for 3 years. But before that i lived with my parents so they had no history on us either. We had no trouble at all getting a phoneline. I hope its the same for you.

When are you moving back?

I loved those gliding chairs, i tried one once in the nursing room of Mothercare. Lovely! Its very annoying about your stool though, hope they find a good solution for you.

[SasB]

We move back 10 weeks today - 25/26 June. Phoned BT last night and they have given me a phone line and number - was really surprised - when my friends went back last summer they had to pay a huge security deposit first.
Next issue will be internet connections - any recommendations? And a car that will take 3 car seats and have room for push chair and 2 dogs!! We have been thinking about the Zafira but I have heard that with the back row of seats there is very little room in the boot, so we would need all 3 car seats to fit across the first row. Any advice?

[GuernseyGirl]

We have a citroen xsara picasso - it's really spacious. I reckon you would easily get three car seats in (it is only a 5 seater - no extra seats in the back) but the boot space is brilliant - loads of it!

Although - if you're wanting dogs in the back the sloping back window might be awkward - you might be better with an estate type car with a more square back IYKWIM!

How long have you been away from the UK? What's bringing you back? (sorry, being nosy now!!)


Oh, and should add, I was 17 weeks yesterday - still no real bump to shout about and still got into my normal trousers today!!

Ordered some tops from Next - (have bought maternity trousers off ebay) - well, one arrived yesterday but it was blowing a gale here and it was just left (I'm assuming) on my doorstep. I got a phonecall in the afternoon to say a guy had picked up my package in the street about 100 metres or so from my house!!!! No one knew where the house was! So he looked up my name in the phonebook and called. He ended up bringing it back to me (he'd taken it home with him) at tea time! It was wrapped like an item you'd pick up from the dry cleaning - with a hanger and a couple of layers of plastic - can't believe the courier just left it laying around when the weather was so bad!!!!! DH said I should phone next and complain - expecting more stuff - wonder where that will end up!! If it went the other direction, it would be in the sea!!!!!

[A_M_Y]

Sounds like your top had a bit of an adventure Naomi, it was very kind of the guy to go to the trouble of finding you to return it. I think i would complain to the company if i were you, as you may not be so lucky next time.

Glad you could also get a phoneline easily Stevie. Dont really have any advice about internet, we just went with the best priced one at the time, and it seems ok, very reliable, though their customer service wasnt the best when we moved as it was a foreign call centre. No advice about cars either as we have a Ford Ka!! I bet you are getting excited :)

[scrappydiva]

SasB, I wouldn't recommend a Zafira for precisely the reasons you state. Once your extra seats are up, there is absolutely NO room in the boot. Citroen Picasso, it depends on which model you're getting... a friend of mine has the previous model and complains that the boot is too small to get her Graco pushchair in. I'm not sure what the new model is like tho'.

I can highly recommend the Citroen Berlingo. OK, so it looks like a van, BUT its great to drive! Lovely high up driving position, sliding doors at the back make it soooooo much easier to get the kids in and out of the car. My DD loves it because she has huge windows to look through too. I regularly transport my friend and her two kids too. So we have had 1xbaby pod seat, 1xfirst size seat and 1xsecond size seat in the back. The boot is huge and could easily fit a pushchair and possibly a couple of dogs (depending on the size of the pushchair). I also like the fact that the back seats fold COMPLETELY flat, which means that I've been able to get my HUGE corner desk in when I got it from IKEA. I've also transported double bed mattresses and ooodles of boxes of stuff. The car is ISOfix too if you get any model after 02/03 (I think) so you don't even have to strap the seats in, if you don't want to. I would recommend that you go for the diesel or a 1.6 petrol... I have a 1.4, which does really well in town and also on the motorways, but it struggles a bit with BIG hills and headwinds. If you get a 'Desire' model, you get loads of storage a glass roof and CD player. I have a 'Forte' model and I have a bit of storage, a normal roof and didn't have a CD player as standard. However, I managed to pick one up second hand and have had that installed now.

I hope you find the car that's good for you!

Oh, about Broadband... if you're determined to have a BT phone line, then I have found Tiscali to be quite good for broadband. However, I much prefer Virgin since we now live in a cabled area. I'm really hoping that our new house (somewhere in Glasgow) will have cable too, cause I'm really going to miss it!

[HOPEJACK]

Hi all

Sas - I'd recommend Virgin too if you are going to a cabled area? Since they've moved from NTL they've improved hugely. With regard to your phoneline - I think as there is so much competition now, providers have to be more competitive etc.

Can't help much on cars - we have an estate and are thinking about changing to a 7 seater (convertible one like the Zafira) in another 2 years or so - someone pointed out that when you have 2 kids and they want to bring friends back for tea etc it gets a bit interesting with a 5 seater! Can see their point. I think it depends on whether you'd need both seats down in the boot all the time or could maybe get away with one? What about the new Ford S Max - that looks nice but I've not seen it inside...

I know someone who had a Volvo estate (the big one V70 is it?) they had 3 kids under 17 months (mad!) and had all the car seats in one row. I read somewhere ages ago that car seats shouldn't rub against one another as friction can cause wear and tear but someone else said that's rubbish?? Went out with my friend the other day - she has a Citroen Picasso thing and we had 2 second stage car seats and a baby seat in the back - seemed OK.

Well I'm 39 weeks and honestly thought my baby would have been here - not sure why but as I had DD at 39 weeks.... albeit induced (but was already in early labour myself). I'm getting pains so much now it's a joke - but they aren't regular. Also the pressure in my upper thighs and women's bits is horrendous - really bad - I was sat on the loo last night just trying to relieve the pressure. Can't bring myself (or DH I suspect) to try sex but did just eat a whole tub of fresh pineapple (prob an old wives tale). I need putting out of my misery!!!

Naomi - it won't be long for those walloping kicks!!

Michelle - good luck for next week hun. At least you have a date - hope it goes well x

Laura - Kirsty is beautiful :wub:

[Modie-may]

Bring on the curries, raspberry leaf tea, walking......huh Patsy?!

[nikkimitch]

I have a renault grand espace - we use it with 3 seats in the conventional back seat area and one in the boot - still provides a big boot space. We've had it about 3 years now and love it :)

Know what you mean about the pressure Patsy - my first 2 were born at 37 weeks so as I am just past the 38 week mark I feel 'late' but last baby was born on his due date so couple of weeks to go yet. My consultant told me most of the ways to get labour going ie curry etc dont work except sex (although have since read that oral absorption is even more effective but think we need to keep that a secret from menfolk :lol:) and pineapple - but you need to eat 6 pineapples a day to get the necessary amount of enzyme :blink: - I tired 2 packs and my tongue was sooooo sore I gave up :lol: guess I'll just have to wait til madam is ready to come out and with the chaos in this house with the other 3 think she is probably thinking she is safer where she is :lol:

Unbelieveable about your NEXT delivery Guernseygirl - what a careless dleivery driver - glad you got the stuff safely in the end - the person who found it was honest and went out of their way to find a way to return it which is good.

Poorly 3 year old here so better go and see what he wants - will check back later and try to catch up with everyone - keep smiling :)

[Cathu]

Hi everyone :) I'm Cath & Modie-May/Mel has sent me over in this direction. I'm 25wks pregnant with Baby no 2. DS is 4 & a bit yrs old. I'm suffering a bit with my back so my GP has signed me off work this week & next whilst we save the stronger painkillers for later :( 'cos there's still a way to go! I'd already planned to start maternity leave early at the end of May 'cos of my back. I'm hoping I can get back to work to muddle through May with a break in the middle for our 11day holiday north of the border to gaze at the hills (wont' be going up any this time round!).

Cath x

[A_M_Y]

Congratulations Cath, welcome to the thread.

[Cathu]

Thanks :)

Using scrapbooking therapy whilst I'm at home & DS is at nursery. Finally got this LO (http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=157455&cat=500&ppuser=10029)finished - the first of the bump's LO's!

Cath

[Modie-may]

Hi Cath, Great to "see" you over here!

[GuernseyGirl]

Hi Cath - welcome!

Patsy - a girl here at work said her partner's grandmother said to try castor oil! She was 39 weeks and was struggling - she only had 1/2 teaspoon as it tasted so foul...and went into labour the next day - coincidence? Possibly....who knows!! :lol:

[nikkimitch]

castor oil used to be the only way of inducing labour - before prostaglandin pesaries were developed. My mum had castor oil before my older brother - it was thought to work by making the bowels very active and so irritating the uterus into contracting - the problem is overdone it can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration and exhaustion - not a good way to start in labour - so not recommended now.

welcome cath - congratulations on number 2 :)

[Modie-may]

Nikki, your avatar is fab. What a great pic. Scrap and frame photo, I reckon!

[nikkimitch]

Thanks Mel :) - I have challenged myself to take at least one photo a day this year - then planning to do an album with 366 photos as a snapshot of our year. Some days it is so difficult to know what to take - the boys arent very cooperative but Sophie will always let me get a shot so will have several pages of her :lol: - taking so many has the advantage of having a better chance of getting a few decent keepers too - so having fun :)

[irishrainbow]

Hope you won't have long to wait Patsy - remember the 'pressure' with DD1, I could only walk short distances by the last 3 weeks, luckily wasn't as bad with Kirsty.

No real recommendations on the car front - we recently upgraded to a Mondeo as has a bigger boot than our old Peugot but not big enough for what you need I think.

A while ago someone - Mel I think? - recommended adding a spoonful of something to a baby's bath that could help nappy rash. DD1 is teething and a rash has flared up...can I ask again what it was that you added to the bath water. TIA

All fine here but a bitterly cold day - walked 5 mins down the road to a friend's house for lunch and my hands were frozen...not very Spring like!

Hope everyone well.

[scrappinglisa]

Congrats Cath and welcome, let me know your due date and I'll add you to the first post :D

Hope everyone else is well, Weaning is going well here and Flynn is enjoying all he's given.

Had a lovely surprise this for my birthday, a DSLR camera :D it's thw Canon EOS 400D. Unfortunately I haven't had chance to get it out the box yet but can't wait to have a play over the weekend taking photos of the boys.

There are some lovely new avatar photos photos, I must change mine to a more up todate photo.

[Modie-may]

Laura, it's baking soda hun, couple of Tbsp in the bath water, give the water a swish to dissolve it and bobs your uncle. If the rash has become open, don't put cream on it straight away, use good ol' kitchen cornflour as it will draw the moisture away and dry it out so then you can use a cream and it will heal it quicker.

What a lovely bday pressie Lisa, when is/was your birthday?

[A_M_Y]

Great present Lisa! I had the same thing for my birthday whilst i was expecting. Didnt use it for 6 months till George arrived...use it every day now. I am sure you will love it :)

[Modie-may]

Lisa, have just seen on another thread that your bday is today.....so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! FYI - you share it with my mother and my grandmother-in-law.

[HOPEJACK]

Happy Birthday Lisa - what a fab pressie - hope you've had a lovely time :D

Yep I'd heard castor oil was now 'outlawed' something to do with not only does it upset your stomach but can upset baby's too so it ends up having bowel movement and can get in distress. Plus what Nikki said about the dehydration.

I'm still gagging from the pineapple this morning - not been sick but feel it :rolleyes: I have another tub but it's staying in the fridge :lol:

Nikki - I also love that pic of your DD what a pretty girl and such a lovely shot!

Laura - with regard to cream for nappy rash (I know it's not what you asked) but I tried loads with DD as she always got it when teething - I found Metanium by far the best... just a thought for when you want to do cream.

Welcome Cath and congratulations. Have you tried a chiropractor for your back at all? I've had hellish backs with both my pregnancies (I get Sacroiliac Joint probs) and have found a chiro has helped enormously....

Just been for a long walk with DH as DD at her grandparents tonight - lovely head bobbing on my cervix. Getting the odd pain but still not regular. Am off to have a nice hot thai curry! Still not sure about the sex - don't think I can bring myself to think about it! :rolleyes:

[irishrainbow]

Thanks Mel will try that tomorrow and will check out Metanium Patsy - thanks for the recommendation.

Congratulations Cath and sorry to hear about your back. Mine went at 12 weeks and I was signed off for the rest of the pregnancy til I started maternity leave. doibg much better now thank goodness. Hope yours improves soon.

[Cathu]

Thanks Mel will try that tomorrow and will check out Metanium Patsy - thanks for the recommendation.

Congratulations Cath and sorry to hear about your back. Mine went at 12 weeks and I was signed off for the rest of the pregnancy til I started maternity leave. doibg much better now thank goodness. Hope yours improves soon.

Got on really well with metanium with DS -was only thing that would work on him sometimes. Just leaves your fingers looking a bit yellow if your skin's a bit rough :) !

Wow, you had it rough with your back & I've been feeling sorry for myself! Had back problems when pregnant with DS but not as early & not as bad as it is this time round. It did resolve pretty quickly last time as well once DS was out in the big wide world. Although I guess I'm a few years older this time round & there's a bit more wear & tear there :)

[persephone]

Don't know if many of you will rememebr the problems Swyn and I had with feeding- well I wrote it all down one day as a cathartic exercise and the other day I decided to blog it- just incase it can help reassure anyone going through the same as I did.

I have done it so that I am anonymous (although my yahoo email is at the top but so what) but I've taken Swyn's name off (as it's quite unusual)

Feel free to share the link with anyone who is experiencing problems- it's here (http://ourbreastfeedingstory.blogspot.com/)

[SasB]

thanks for all the car advice - it will give me somewhere to start when we get back. Can't believe its only 10 weeks away now - we are still waiting for the paperwork for the moving company to go through. My DH is in the RAf so thats why we are moving - we have been here for 2 years and the year and a bit before that we were living in the Falkland Islands (except for 3 months in the UK in between the 2). We have loved living abroad and part of me is dreading coming back to reality!

heather - thanks for the link - off to check it out now. DD2 is feeding OK but doesn't latch on very well and falls asleep really quickly while feeding- and doesn't want to wake up and feed - she lost 2 oz last week so have been topping her up with expressed milk and formula when the expressed runs out. really want to get her back to just me!

Patsy - hope its soon!

Hope everyone else is feeling OK/doing well

[persephone]

heather - thanks for the link - off to check it out now. DD2 is feeding OK but doesn't latch on very well and falls asleep really quickly while feeding- and doesn't want to wake up and feed - she lost 2 oz last week so have been topping her up with expressed milk and formula when the expressed runs out. really want to get her back to just me!


There's lots you can do as a start point. Make sure she's latched on properly- her tummy is to your tummy and her nose is clear- its very easy to have her too high up and she'll struggle to feed and she'll struggle to get the milk down. Also straight line from her ear, via her shoulder and down her side- if she's twisted she'll not be getting the milk into her tummy.

Breast compressions could also help. When she's feeding help her along my compressing your breast and pushing down towards her mouth. Not only will this make sure she's getting the fatty good milk but it'll also give her extra. To see how it's done properly if I don't make sense then try googling breast compressions. i think Kellymom have instructions.

[persephone]

Have a look here (http://ilca.org/falc.html) Sas

[HOPEJACK]

Thanks Heather - I'll have a look at that.

Stevie - I bet the time has flown by. Must admit everyone I know who moves abroad with the forces never wants to come back! I have a friend married to an Army guy - they married after Uni (so about 21 years old) and since that time she's only been in the UK for one posting and they hated it (she's around 32 now!). They've mostly been in Germany and also Belgium.

Hope you get Sylvie latched on better - Heather's instructions for latch are good! If you are still having probs on your return you could always call either the ABM (Association of Breastfeeding Mothers) or NCT and speak to a bf'ing counsellor - if there is one near you they may even pop and see you...

Well I had a big false alarm last night. Started to feel really sick around 10.30 pm - ended up on the loo for ages (sorry tmi) and then eventually got into bed around 12 am ish - started having regular contractions - not really painful though. By 1.30 am they were still regular but I was sooo tired (and shivery!) that I tried to sleep - fell asleep sitting up (!) and woke about 6 am and they'd gone!!! I'm getting a little worried as I had similar on Thursday night too and when I spoke to the Labour ward today they said it may be that the baby is in a bad position (poss back to back again), so although I'm having pains, I'm not making progress. They weren't concerned though as I'm not officially due until Friday!!! They just said to monitor baby's movements!!! I actually thought the baby had moved positions away from back to back but maybe not!

I'm getting worn out as often not getting sleep at night and just keep getting period type and shooting pains - making it difficult to do much! Ho hum...

Hope everyone else is OK and had good weekends...

[SasB]

Patsy - hope you manage to get some rest soon - and that your little one is born even sooner.

Heather - I checked out your link thanks - I have now had 3 feeds with no pain to me and she it latching on a bit better - still not perfect but so much better - she has fed better too. Thanks again

[irishrainbow]

Heather - thanks for the information on breast compression and googled it - found a really interesting site with advice and videos.

Kirsty has been gaining weight but fairly slowly, so will definitely put the advice to good use.

Thanks again

[persephone]

glad to help :)

[Cathu]

Will be quite a big age gap between the new baby when it appears & DS1 who will be 4 1/2 by then & starting schoool 1mth later. Anyone else any experience of this sort of age difference between siblings? How do they get on?

Cath

[GuernseyGirl]

Patsy - hope you've managed to get some rest.

Heather - thanks for sharing your blog. I didn't bf DD but that was because she had the problem not me. I really hope this time I get the chance to at least try! I felt like such a failure last time - the first few weeks were hell - I have actually thought I should journal it as a cathartic exercise for me.....I had some some journalling with the scrapping of her birth and later on when she was in hospital but there are still some things that come back to me and I wonder if it would help to do a thorough exercise.

I got PND and when it got better I probably stopped my meds too early - it came back (worse) and I very nearly walked out on my family....fortunately I stayed, got help and had counselling - however, I really felt I needed to talk about what had happened and how I felt but whenever I spoke about the past and DD being poorly, he would just say 'oh, but she's well now' ....yes, she was well then but that wasn't the point - the trauma was still there.....and sometime still is....obviously by the way I feel just remembering some of it.

Sorry, didn't mean to start my book here!!! :lol:

[michmad]

Hi all

Well the time has nearly come so I think I'll say a quick goodbye for the next few days as I'm not sure i'll get a chance before tomorrow's big day!

My mom is arriving today so I've got to pick her up from the train station and then its off to the hospital for my pre - op check. I feel pretty organised so hopefully the day will go along smoothly.
Kerry will post baby's arrival as soon as she has a text from me tomorrow.

Patsy - I hope things happen for you soon. I can sympathise with the agony of waiting. DS went till 42 weeks and DD went till 41 weeks. The waiting is no fun especially when you're in pain. This one is a real bonus for me @ 39 weeks!!!

Nikki - All the best for your birth as well as I'm sure you will have had her by the time I get back online again.

Heather - please could you pm your password so I can read up about BF latch. Didn't have a very good track record with DS or DD so I'm hoping to get it right this time. Only managed 4 days with each of them before giving up just because it was so painful and I didn't seem to be able to latch them on right!

Ok I'm off to finish up my last minute chores.
Keep well everyone!

Michelle
xxx

[persephone]

Will be quite a big age gap between the new baby when it appears & DS1 who will be 4 1/2 by then & starting schoool 1mth later. Anyone else any experience of this sort of age difference between siblings? How do they get on?

Cath

I have 3 years and 9 months. It's fab. Dd loves her little sister and is very helpful. I do have to watch her though as she tries to pick her up if I turn my back

[A_M_Y]

Good luck Michelle....look foward to hearing your news tomorrow :)

[nikkimitch]

Good luck Michelle - hopefully by this time tomorrow you will be holding your LO :):) hope all goes smoothly.

[scrappydiva]

I have my 20wk scan tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing beany again... also hoping to find out what 'flavour' we're having too.

[irishrainbow]

Good luck Michelle - will be thinking of you.

There's only 23 months between DD1 and Kirsty but my best friend has 5 years between her 2 DDs. She said she's having more probs now with the age gap (one is 11 , the other 6) than when they were small. Her eldest DD was thrilled with her sister when she was born and enjoyed helping out with the baby. HTH

[SasB]

Looking forward to hearing your news Michelle. Good luck

[Modie-may]

Good luck Michelle, can't wait for the news.

[akerry]

Just wanted to let you all know that Michelle (michmad) had a precious little boy, Gethin Luke. Born at 10:32 this morning and weighed 8lb. 03oz / 3.7kg
Mom and baby are doing well.

Congrats Michelle, been thinking of you all morning.

[scrappinglisa]

Congrats Michelle - lovely name. Hope you are well and look forward to seeing photos.

[doodlexyz]

Huge congratulations Michelle... Hope your both doing well :D

Lovely name, i can't wait to see piccies!!

[irishrainbow]

Congratulations Michelle!

[HOPEJACK]

Congratulations Michelle :) Fabulous news - enjoy!

Anthea - hope your scan went OK and the baby was co-operative (unlike ours!).

Hope everyone else is doing OK.

[akerry]

Michelle and I have been friends for over 20 years. I just wish that we both lived in the same country, would love to be there for each other. We have missed out on so much. Thank goodness for the internet.

Can't wait to see a photo Michelle.

[GuernseyGirl]

Congratulations Michelle - great news!

Anthea - let us know how you get on today!

[SasB]

Congratulations Michelle,

Looking forward to hearing about your scan Anthea.

[Modie-may]

Congratulations Michelle. Thanks for letting us know Kerry.

Just had a fire engine visit our house for a community service visit regarding fire safety so took a photo of Lachy in the fire engine. Forgot to get a photo of the truck though....

Looking forward to scan news Anthea.

[A_M_Y]

Congratulations Michelle :)

[scrappydiva]

Congrats Michelle!

Well scans went well. Baby co-operated... well at least they say so. I didn't see anything, but apparently they reckon that its a girl. I'm thinking that I might pay for one of those 4-D scans for a 'second opinion' as I really can't see how they could see what was and wasn't there. Not that I mind having another girl, I'm just not sure that the 'diagnosis' (for want of a better word) is absolutely correct.

[Cathu]

Congrats Michelle!

Well scans went well. Baby co-operated... well at least they say so. I didn't see anything, but apparently they reckon that its a girl. I'm thinking that I might pay for one of those 4-D scans for a 'second opinion' as I really can't see how they could see what was and wasn't there. Not that I mind having another girl, I'm just not sure that the 'diagnosis' (for want of a better word) is absolutely correct.

Our bump was really curled up for the 20wk scan. It took ages to look at all the other anatomical stuff (during which time there was complete silence & we were really stressed thinking that something was wrong!) & there was no way we were going to get any clues as to whether we had a boy or a girl cooking in there :) . I'd quite like a girl but am content to wait to find out when finally comes out as it'll be such a relief to have the baby out by the time I've given birth that I won't mind what it is! Think I'd feel a bit disappointed if I found out before then that it was a boy. I don't really want another one weeing over, rather than in, the toilet :D

[scrappydiva]

Ah you see, we already have a girl, so I think I do fancy a change. On the other hand, I know what I'm getting myself in for with a girl... and we have all those pretty pink clothes waiting in the loft. I'm coming round to the idea I suppose. I think I'd convinced myself it was a boy (again) and I was looking forward to buying some lovely boy clothes. LOL. Also, I'm aware that we're not planning any more kids and so, in a way, this is the last chance for the family name to be continued. If this is a girl then my DH will be the last Goodman male. In some ways I was hoping to keep it going for a bit longer I suppose.

[HOPEJACK]

Fab news that all was well Anthea. If they said it's most probably a girl I'd say they are right. At our scan the sonographer said she wasn't sure and from the position it was hard to tell. She did 'suspect' a girl but told us not to race out and buy pink just in case! We toyed with the idea of a 4D scan but decided to wait - mainly because we moved house and were spending lots on that and also because tbh I wasn't that bothered to know in some ways. I like the sort of element of 'is it, isn't it'. A 4D scan will defo tell you anyway!

They don't get it wrong much these days but if they do it's almost always when they say you are having a girl and it turns out to be a boy! If they see a boy, they know lol! And not sure how true this is but boys apparently tend to splay all their wares for everyone to see much easier lol!

I must admit to buying loads of clothes on the Pumpkin Patch sale (online) last week and did buy a few baby girl bits - they've said I can send back if no good though. I also have loads of stuff from DD (barely worn or sometimes not worn at all!) so at least I'll get some wear out of them! She's always had loads of clothes - silly amount really!!

I'm still waiting and can still tell baby isn't in a good position! So think it will be a while for me yet... :( It's not nice having contractions and them not going anywhere/doing anything :(

[scrappydiva]

Yeah I'm still tempted by a 4D scan, but at £190 I can think of plenty of other things I could spend that money on. Dh and I are now discussing girl names. Harriet seems to be a favourite at the moment.

[nikkimitch]

I had a 4D scan as a bonding scan for the older 3 - we didnt get great views of her face as she was hiding in the placenta. When it comes to boy/girl bits it is no more accurate than a normal scan as that is what they use first - the 4D bit relies on echo so really needs an area with fluid around and no legs etc so doesnt show up sex very well. We are pretty sure we are having a girl from our 20 week scan - at the 4D one they questioned it then decided yes it was a girl after all so I am not 100% convinced :lol: have bought pink but have prepared the children that it could be either. i alwasy wanted 3 boys and a girl - so far have 2 boys and a girl but having had 1 pink one would really like another :) - whatever it is wich it would be born as like Patsy getting sick of contractions that dont come to anything:angry:

[HOPEJACK]

Nikki - I thought with 4D scans they scan until they can definately tell you the sex - whether it mean you going back later or whatever. That's what happened with my friend (again told girl at 20 wk scan but not 100%). She ended up being there ages and had to go for a walk/eat etc as they just couldn't get the right position but they are guaranteed to tell you (that is if you book for a gender scan)... Maybe it was just in her area?

I just want a baby here - not bothered what flavour anymore :lol:

Nikki (and I don't mean this horribly lol) but I'm pleased someone else knows how I feel with the pains - I swear they are contractions (or at least I've had 2 sep episodes now). It worries me when they don't seem to progress though!!

[nikkimitch]

Nikki - I thought with 4D scans they scan until they can definately tell you the sex - whether it mean you going back later or whatever. That's what happened with my friend (again told girl at 20 wk scan but not 100%). She ended up being there ages and had to go for a walk/eat etc as they just couldn't get the right position but they are guaranteed to tell you (that is if you book for a gender scan)... Maybe it was just in her area?

I just want a baby here - not bothered what flavour anymore :lol:

Nikki (and I don't mean this horribly lol) but I'm pleased someone else knows how I feel with the pains - I swear they are contractions (or at least I've had 2 sep episodes now). It worries me when they don't seem to progress though!!

Maybe it was because mine was a bonding scan rather than a gender one ??

Had another evening of discomfort - some pretty strong regular contractions too - had it other nights too though and always seems to wear off :(

[Modie-may]

Wow how exciting for you Patsy and Nikki. Hope you manage to get some rest before the big events!!

[GuernseyGirl]

I'm sure I felt my baby move tonight !!!!! Yippee!

I was sat on sofa after dinner and felt something - very strong, but not happened since. I have poked it but it's not playing ball!!!!

[Modie-may]

Yay!! Maybe you are carrying to the back, think you find it harder to feel movement if you are iykwim.

[GuernseyGirl]

Is everyone OK today?

I thought maybe I'd missed a new thread starting!!!

[scrappydiva]

Naomi, that's what DD did. Huge, strong kick and then nothing for another few days. The next time she kicked me she managed to get me right in the spine... my legs folded under me completely! Luckily we were in church at the time and there was a chair right behind me. If I'd been anywhere else I'd have been on the floor!

[Marja]

4d is just the moving image of the 3d non moving scan image. So, they are both the same thing in terms of what you're seeing ;) You get those thermal print outs of the 3d image and a DVD for the 4d image.

Sorry I've rarely been posting. I just don't even feel pregnant these days and time is zooming by. Last pregnancy seemed to drag on and on and this time the baby seems like it will arrive before we know it!

[Marja]

Forgot to say!!! Michelle, congratulations!

[Modie-may]

Marja, you are probably so busy with Noemie that's why it's zooming. When do you have a scan?

[Marja]

My next scan is next Friday! I'll be 16-1/2 weeks and it's the first half of my anomaly scan. My Consultant does the BIG scan in 2 stages as you can see a few things earlier than 20 weeks, like Spina Bifida and such. I'll have another one sometime soon after 20 weeks as well. We're hoping to confirm that it's a boy (and healthy!)

Very true about chasing after Noemie keeping me busy! She is a handful. I really need to look into that nanny situation. I'm just a bit nervous about trusting her to anyone :unsure:

[nikkimitch]

my youngest developed chickenpox today :( so we are hoping LO stays put for a few days to keep her safe - I have definitely had chickenpox so should give immunity to a newborn but dd had it at 7 weeks despite total breastfeeding so not convinced - would be happier if LO was born once infectious period passed so sods law she'll come now :lol:

[HOPEJACK]

Oh god Nikki - I hope little one stays put a bit longer as well then. What a nightmare. I remember a friend coming to see DD with her little boy when DD was about 4 days old, she rang me a few days later in a panic as he'd come down with chickenpox the day after seeing DD! I was panicking like made but she never got it - I was told that breastfeeding stops it - obviously not from what you said!

Marja - I knew 3D and 4D were the same - just one is a moving technology/DVD. I was trying to say that they normally guarantee 100% to get tell you the sex if you go for the gender scan - afterall that's what you are paying for... :) Can't believe you are almost 16.5 weeks already.

We've had a v busy day as it's been DD's birthday. It's been lovely though and I'm actually really pleased the baby didn't arrive early as, as much as you try, I think with a newborn it wouldn't have been the same as we would have been much more strapped with what we could do. So baby can come now please.... :lol:

Midwife appt tomorrow - be interesting what she says about the position and the pains I've been having. I'm going to try and get a sweep but I'm not sure she'll do one as they like to wait until 41 weeks!!

Naomi - glad you felt the baby - it could definately be you have an anterior placenta and therefore it cushions the movement.

[GuernseyGirl]

Naomi - glad you felt the baby - it could definately be you have an anterior placenta and therefore it cushions the movement.

it's more likely that the rest of me cushions the movement :lol: :lol:

[SasB]

Patsy, hope your midwife plays along!
Nikki, hope your LO stays snug for a few days.

I think the 100% guarantee with the 3d/4d scan is because they will have you back again until the baby is in the right position to tell, not because the scan is any "better" IYKWIM.

Marja we had an aupair with my DS (because I was working)(from home) and that worked well because I was in the house so I was still with him IYKWIM.

[irishrainbow]

All fine here - went downtown to pick up a trollbead - a 'k' to go on my trollie bracelet. DH got me the beads, in theory, one for every month of the pregnancy.

Oh and my BIL and SIL announced they were expecting yesterday:D

[Cathu]

All fine here - went downtown to pick up a trollbead - a 'k' to go on my trollie bracelet. DH got me the beads, in theory, one for every month of the pregnancy.

Oh and my BIL and SIL announced they were expecting yesterday:D

What a fab DH!!! Wish I had one like that :) I keep putting the beads on my xmas & bday wishlists but it doesn't get me anywhere!

Cath x

[irishrainbow]

What a fab DH!!! Wish I had one like that :) I keep putting the beads on my xmas & bday wishlists but it doesn't get me anywhere!

Cath x

I should say that DH is great but once he made the initial offer, I ordered the beads and 'billed' him. If I wanted computer games or golf equipment he would have been much more enthusiastic about the shopping part but jewellery is just not his thing :lol:

[nikkimitch]

Good luck at the midwife's today patsy - hope you get your sweep - mine is booked for next wednesday so just before 40 weeks - worked with my last 2 so wonderful to feel pretty sure I only have another week max of feeling so crap :)

[akerry]

Here is a pic of Michelle baby taken from her DH facebook.
I'm sure she won't mind!
She will be home on friday.

[GuernseyGirl]

Ah lovely photo!!

[scrappydiva]

Awwww bless!

Must admit I'm getting my head around having another girl now. I think the shock was just too much as I'd really got it into my head that it was a boy. I'll be the first one in 7 GENERATIONS to break the pattern. It's always been girl-boy-girl-boy all the way down. My mom was one of 9 kids and it was girl-boy all the way. LOL. Strange as it may seem, I'm reliably informed that these patterns generally travel down the female line. Not sure how that works tho'. Anyway, a girl it is... but I'm still going to look at some boys names tho' just in case they got it wrong!

So, here's a few combinations that we're discussing. Which one do you think is best?

Harriet Louisa (Goodman)
Tessa Rose
Celia Beth

Not sure... there are a few others, but they don't sound right in pairs. IYKWIM? I like Rose (for my grandmother) and DH likes Louisa (for his grandmother). Louisa is the only one that is still alive out of the grandmothers.

[GuernseyGirl]

What about Louisa Rose? Or do you just want to use them as a second name? I do like the two first combinations you have there.......

Do you think the scan was 100% right - you do hear of mistakes!!!!

My DH said if ours is a girl he would like his mum's name as a middle name...Lynn....I can't think of anything to go with it (not too sure if I like it either! Oops!)

We still have a boy's name from last time...which we still like....but if it is another girl we'll struggle I think (it was hard enough the first time round)!! It's such a responsibility isn't it.

[A_M_Y]

Aaawww, what a sweet photo :)

We gave George two middle names, Alex and Martin, which are both of his grandfathers names....we felt that was the 'fairest' thing to do....even if it does leave George with a rather long name! Maybe you could consider that. I like Louisa Rose as a combination. Finding a name is such a hard decision!

[Cathu]

Ben had no name for around a week & a half after he was born - we were so indecisive! It's such a big thing though. We were going to call him Jack before he was born, then I found out it was the top name at the time & had visions of him being one of several with the same name in a class. Then when I gave birth, one of the women on the ward had just named her newborn Jack & one of the others had a Jack at home, so Ben was 'Baby No Name' on all of his hospital paperwork :rolleyes: . We ended up calling him Benjamin Joseph so he can choose Ben, Joe or either full name later in life if he particularly hates any part of it.

I think if we have a girl this time, we'll probably go with our choice of name from last time. God help us if it's a boy - we'll have to think of something new. Mind you Ben (now 4) wants the new baby named after Postman Pat's cat Jess, which I guess will do a boy or a girl :D

[Marja]

I like Celia for a first name and Rose for a middle name :lol: With Noemie we used Catherine as her middle name which was DH's grandmother's name. My grandmother had ugly names (Dulcie Cynthia) so there was no way we were using them :lol: We think it's a boy this time so will most likely use the name we had picked out last time for a boy. We have since found another boy name we like and if we go with that instead then we will need a new middle name as well. If it ends up being another girl then we have no idea what we will use as it was hard enough agreeing on Noemie.

[Marja]

Marja - I knew 3D and 4D were the same - just one is a moving technology/DVD. I was trying to say that they normally guarantee 100% to get tell you the sex if you go for the gender scan - afterall that's what you are paying for... :) Can't believe you are almost 16.5 weeks already.


I had to go back and look to see who had said something about 4d scans which prompted me to reply. Twas Nikki :lol:

I agree they will have you back as many times as needed for gender scans.

I am so glad things are going so fast this time. I am sure when I get huge and uncomfortable though, time will suddenly slow down and I will be miserable and hot through August/September and you will all be wishing time would speed up again :lol:

Better go, Noemie is chewing on a wire :blink:

[nikkimitch]

Finding it really hard with names this time round - as the name has to sort of go with the others IYSWIM - so far we have Thomas Gordon, Sophie Clare and Benjamin Charles
am thinking of probably Megan Elizabeth or Samuel James (on the off chance the scan was wrong :lol:)

love the name Rose but a friend has just used it and did like Beth but dd has an awful whinging Beth in her class now and that has put me right off

[Marja]

I like the name Megan Elizabeth! When I was little I wished my name was Elizabeth :)

We didn't even think about names working with Noemie's name.... Our surname doesn't seem to sound right with any names. Have told DH we should all change to my maiden name but for some reason he wasn't interested.

[nikkimitch]

I had to go back and look to see who had said something about 4d scans which prompted me to reply. Twas Nikki :lol:

I agree they will have you back as many times as needed for gender scans

I still wouldnt have thought they would say the scan was 100% - normal hospital scans are 2d ultrasounds - 3D scans rely on a different technology using echo waves - this relies on fluid being in the right place to bounce the waves off - for our scan the LO had her face buried in the placenta so no fluid inbetween and we couldnt get a good image - the genital area is likely to be even more prone to limbs etc being in the way making it difficult to determine. The sexing part of our scan when we went for the 3D/4D was a traditional ultrasound 2D black and white picture which although quite clear can be inaccurate. In this day and age of litigation I wouldnt think anyone would want to give a 100% 'diagnosis' of gender before birth.

[irishrainbow]

I think they're all lovely Anthea but like Tessa Rose the best. My niece is Caitlin Rose and I love the sound of it.

We had our Kirsty Elizabeth chosen as our girl name up to about a fortnight before my due date and then I started to think Catriona instead. Couldn't make our minds up but when we saw her decided to go with Kirsty and glad that we did.

Our problem with girl names was finding one we both agreed on - I liked Alana and DH like Isla...Kirsty was our compromise name! If she had been a boy it would have been Fraser William.

[Harrys_Gal]

We haven't set anything in stone as yet but the names that we have bantered around (well I have :lol: ) are for a girl ... Georgie Lillian .. mainly after my Great Uncle George and Great Aunt Lil .. DH does agree to this name. and for a boy we kinda like either Alfie Alan (after my dad) Edward (Harry's middle name) or Oscar Alan Edward.

Harry has yet to come up with any sensible suggestions ... he is not good at decisions and I think at the end of the day I will end up choosing and he will only disagree if he really doesn't like it :lol:

[Marja]

3D scans rely on a different technology using echo waves - this relies on fluid being in the right place to bounce the waves off ...In this day and age of litigation I wouldnt think anyone would want to give a 100% 'diagnosis' of gender before birth.

The technology is the same...I asked my OB about it last time around and just googled it now as I figured it was better than any explanation I could give.

3D ultrasound differs from 2D ultrasound in the way in which the image of the baby is rendered. Ultrasound itself is the use of high-frequency soundwaves to create images of internal structures. A small, handheld device called a transducer is used to send soundwaves out and also to receive and record the sound waves when they bounce back. The soundwaves used in 2D and 3D ultrasound are the same. The difference lies in the sophistication of the transducer and the computer software within the ultrasound machine. Unlike 2D ultrasound, 3D ultrasound renders a volumetric image of the baby by almost instantaneously compiling multiple 2D images.

I think it's pretty safe to give a 100% guarantee with a 3d scan. I would agree it's not so safe with a 2d though as the image is less clear. However, if baby is properly positioned and cooperating, it's really hard to miss a boy part vs a girl part if you're far enough along (16 weeks plus).

[Marja]

All this talk about names reminds me of a story my MIL told me. DH's Dad's name was Lawrence Allan but apparently his mother wanted to call him Elmer Archibald after a few family names :lol: I have to admit that while I wouldn't name my kid Elmer Archibald, I think it's kind of a cool name just because it sounds quite.... unique :lol:

[HOPEJACK]

Hi girls

Well had a sweep this morning - was uncomfortable but m/w said I handled it really well (had one with DD too but it didn't do anything then - mind you was only 38.5 wks then due to needing to be induced). She told me my cervix is soft, forward and about 2 cm dilated! So obv the pains I've been having have been doing something. Baby's head is 3/5 engaged but she didn't expect any more with it being a second baby. She did say at that level it probably wouldn't pop out again - cemented in :lol: I was right about the position though - it's not totally back to back - kind of half and half - it's back is partially towards my front if that makes sense... Not sure it's a good thing but I suppose it doesn't have a huge way to turn in labour.

Please pray for me that the sweep works!! :)

I'm not massively up on 3D scans tbh - just gone off two friends who've had them v recently for sexing. They were told they'd know 100% as Sas said, they'd keep bringing them back until they knew for sure type of thing.

Re names - well we are still a bit undecided tbh. Boy's name well sorted (it's always easier when you have a different sex already), it's the girl's name we can't agree on!

I like quite a few of the names mentioned on here - Celia is lovely as is Beth but I know someone who called their child that so I wouldn't go there. I really like Georgie too. I still like Esme but DH wouldn't budge on that one. It's so difficult deciding.

I too am keeping an open mind about the sex although it probably is a girl if that's what they said. Naomi - like you, I thought I was carrying a boy as my pregnancy was soo different (but then I convinced myself of a boy the first time and we got a girl - was over the moon but wouldn't have been too bothered). I quite like the element of 'is it/isn't it' with this one. Little bit of suspense. Just thinking I've got quite a few new girly bits I'll have to pass on if it is a boy - don't think he would suit the 'I'm the little sister' t-shirt I bought :lol: (among other things - oops!).