It's been 7 weeks since mc but still not af...when to ring the GP?

[bobster]

Aww Mack its been such a pain for you with all these sinus infections. I'm glad hubby is helping you with chores though although they never do things quite like we would do they? If I ask my man to do something like clean the bathroom he'll litterally blitz it and tidy things away and he thinks that's cleaning lol.

Not long now and you'll have little Fin in your arms. Its exciting that you're having a tour of the labour ward. Have you got your birth plan in place? I can't wait to feel that uncomfortable kicking although it does sound painful I bet its satisfying too. I saw my belly move yesterday- it was like a twitching on the left side so he must be getting stronger. It was so exciting although I was on my own so had no one to share it with and when I tried to film he stopped!

MLM how are your crampy pains? Hope they're not too bad. I remember having them and worrying in the early days too. Only 2 days until your 6 week milestone and your beans heartbeat may be visible on ultrasound!

Jane I think yours looks girly too. Oh how exciting! I don't think OH will go for a private gender scan, plus its expense that we can't really afford. We have a scanning machine at my work and i'm soooo tempted to get a dr to scan me (I work at the family planning/sexual health clinic and they scan for ladies who want terminations) but not sure if its fair on him to do it on my own really... Grrr so tempting though but don't think I could.

My bump feels weird. I can hardly feel my ribs anymore as my bump starts from under my bust. Also my belly button used to be so deep and now its flattening out so wondering if it might even pop out eventually (eugh). Also my boobs have grown 2 whole cup sizes and my nipples are getting bigger and darker (sorry tmi). Feeling pretty hideous at the moment and he keeps wanting to bd but I feel so self conscious, anyone else feeling this way? It will all be worth it though I know

 

[mackjess]

Oh bobster, I haven't been in the mood to BD at all. Well I am, until I remember I'm not skinny anymore! I'm so self conscious now that I'll change for bed in the bathroom. I know DH doesn't mind, but man it bothers me. So far my boobs and belly have gotten huge, and I seem to have a little extra stuff going on my upper back too, like I have wings. I think I had to gain weight there so I wouldn't fall forward!

So far my birth plan is to make it as far as I can and get an epidural if it gets to be too much. I don't want the epi too soon as I've heard that can slow labor down, and I don't want it to go too slow and them talk about doing a c-section instead. I am terrible about handling pain meds, so no IV drugs for me. I get angry and try to leave, which apparently is hilarious when i hear about it since I usually have no recollections. My DH about died bc last time I had surgery and had a meltdown before, the nurse told him usually it was just elderly patients that react that way. He was pretty tickled about that.

I think I will have more of an idea after the tour. I know that they have birthing balls, heating pad, tubs for warm baths, and encourage walking around. I want to do that as much as possible in early labor so gravity helps get him going. I'm a total wuss with pain and would LOVE to go drug free. Hoping I can make it to halfway dilated
before I cave, and who knows, I might surprise myself.

And yea, my sinuses suck. They always have and I've had multiple sinus surgeries and allergy treatments. My allergist told me to move to a dryer climate. Heh. I'm really allergic to the molds and wet weather, so I'm sure the constant downpours are not helping me out any.

Do you have a birth plan or going to any classes? I'm kinda excited about the Baby Basics tonight.

 

[GI_Jane]

Mackjess, how was the baby basic class last night?
Sorry to hear you've got another sinus infection- Finn will be quite immune to them by the time he is born

The birthing centre I hope to use doesn't use epidural so like you I'm hoping to go as natural as possible but I don't know how long I could hold out but maybe other methods of pain relief will be sufficient.

Can't believe how close the birth is now, I hope once Finn is born you will pop in and tell us how you guys are doing and attach a couple pics

Bobster, sounds like you are well on your way with the bump development. Looking forward to looking pregnant (rather than bloated) but not the uncomfortable part! My mum was a nurse in GU medicine (as they called those clinics back then) and she told me how she would send her sample off for preg testing with the patients batches, back in the day when they didn't have the home tests. Not sure I could work knowing a scan machine was so close and not use it! Could one of your nurse colleagues help or a doctor thing only. But if you did it alone and saw something you weren't sure about it could worry you.

Belly button popping out- yuck

Got my consultant appointment at 3pm today not sure what to expect really.

 

[GI_Jane]

Banana's and Oranges now! Little fruit bowl going on

 

[GI_Jane]

We got a low risk result for downs

 

[mackjess]

Yay Jane!!! Now you can share your news. So brave of you to go where they don't do epidurals. Since I react so badly (or hilariously according to DH) to other meds it's really my only option if it gets to be too much. Considering hiring a doula to help me out with breathing, massaging, etc. If I start screaming like I'm dying it might freak the hubbs out.

Bobster, whats your plan?

Also, baby classes are super fun and cute. I'm starting to get as nervous as I was first trimester though because of all this build up. It's so scary to have all these plans, dreams, visions. I just want him to BE here and then I'll figure out the rest. Starting to get more anxious and that is affecting my sleep. Hope the next 6 or so weeks go by fast.

 

[bobster]

Aww Mack you sound hilarious on pain meds but poor you! Best not to try and leave like an elderly confused person when you're in labour really lol! I've not really heard of a doula before. Sounds like an idea although I think I would probably get annoyed with someone I don't know being there while i'm in pain, would prefer to rant and rave at my other half so I don't feel guilty for it (they got us into it afterall).

I have definitely noticed those back wings already. So glad i'm not the only one. I seem to be getting bigger everywhere at the moment. I am the same about getting changed too... I try to go where he can't see. Maybe its more common to feel this way than I thought.

I can imagine the nerves as you're nearing the end. He will be here before you know it but I'm the same- won't relax until babies here in my arms!

Jane congrats about your low risk for downs that's great news! How was the rest of the appointment? Did they use the doppler? I know we are such a fruit bowl now with apple seeds, oranges, bananas and melons! I work in GU medicine and CASH (family planning)- they are all linked now. That's so weird that pregnancy tests took so long to process- I would die waiting for those results to come back!! I took another pregnancy test the other day just to see the lines again- I just love seeing them (fruit loop or what!).

My plan so far, like you ladies is to try and avoid too much pain relief if I can. I want to avoid epidural too at all costs as I would prefer to feel everything. I think I'll try to stick with gas and air but if that fails I'll opt for pethidine (or whatever they give now).

Shattered today- been on a long day (12 hours) and my feet are aching so much. Working full time is definitely harder than it used to be already.

 

[bobster]

How are you and your little apple seed mlm?

 

[mackjess]

She needs to be a raspberry soon so we can toss her in the fruit salad!

We don't use gas over here or I'd try that. I'd rather do pain meds if I had to than an epidural, but you are right. I don't want to risk trying to leave, or worse being sick. Some of them make me barf. Or sleep. If I take one Tylenol 30 (has a little codeine) I'm asleep for 13 hours. I can't imagine that would be help during labor. Since gravity helps, and there's walking and positions you CANT do if you have an epidural, I'm hoping I have it in me not to get one, or not at least til I'm dilated to around 5-8 cms. We'll see how that goes. 6 more weeks! I can't wait. As terrifying as labor seems, I don't care if it's the most painful 18 hours of my life, I get a baby at the end of it. I just can't wait.

I grew up in a small town and the whole family went to one doctor. I'd been seeing him since I was a little girl when we discovered even some cough syrups made me sleep for 2 days. When I was 15 my dad decided I was old enough to go into the room on my own with the doctor, and I guess since I was by myself he grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me SEVERAL times and told me never to do drugs or I WOULD DIE. He was a friendly, funny, santa looking doctor and it was almost funny cause he was so serious. But he wouldn't let me go til I said I understood and promised not to. A few more times that visit he was still like, seriously, you'll just die, you can't handle it. Not like I planned on doing them anyway.

 

[bobster]

Jane have you done that work out dvd yet? I am thinking of getting a joga one to try. Feel I should try to strengthen my muscles for when my bumps bigger as I have a dodgy back already.

Did you say you got a davina video? I'm not sure what to get really.. may have a look this weekend.

 

[mlm115]

I love that all three of you have given so much thought to your birth plans. You seem to really know your stuff! I clueless about all of that right now.

I was nervous for a little while this morning. It felt like my symptoms had left, but they seem to be returning now. I'm just so nervous of losing this bean. Bluh. I want my 8 week ultrasound to be here already!! That's when I found out about my mmc, so if I have good results for that, I'm sure I'll start feeling more relaxed.

 

[GI_Jane]

Consultant appointment went well thanks, she did a quick scan which i wasnt expecting, was an old machine so was grainy and no measurements done but was great to see his heart beating and him somersaulting around. Got to see her next at 28 weeks. Got my official 16 week appointment next week so will hear the heartbeat then hopefully. Will start telling people after that appointment.

Haven't done the Davina DVD yet- had a stinking cold and just didn't feel up to it- will try this weekend and let you know. Amazon did have some yoga options, would you sign up for classes?

 

[mackjess]

Hang in there MLM! You'll be joining the fruit party soon. I know how badly time drags on for those scans, but you have barely over 2 weeks. I hope it goes by somewhat fast. Any new goings on for the house to maybe distract yourself with? Also, I had no birth plan or even ideas about it until I took a birthing class a few weeks ago. That's what helped me decide. I know it's all stuff you can read, but seeing videos and having an instructor that had down labor and delivery for several years talking about experiences really helped me.

Jane, LOVELY to hear you got a quick scan and got to see your LO moving about. Very pleased for you, and hope you are feeling over your cold!

 

[bobster]

MLM its so natural to feel anxious until the point you pass your last loss. Just take it one day at a time. Symptoms do come and go frequently. I didn't feel pregnant at all until the nausea kicked in at 7 weeks. Like mack says its only another 2 weeks but I know they drag when we're waiting for milestones. I have a good feeling for you though. Are you still testing or have you stopped that now? If you are then be prepared for tests to get lighter after 6 weeks (mine did). Prob worth not testing after as I got all panicky when mine got lighter.

Yay for an extra scan Jane I'm so jealous! Feel better soon and let me know how davina dvd goes.

 

[GI_Jane]

Mlm, please try not to worry, the symptoms will come and go. I was convinced my bean had died at 8 weeks when symptoms disappeared for a week.

So when at the appointment today, I was doing 'bump watch' in the waiting room- I have a little bump forming but it looks so low down- mackjess and bobster, did your bumps start lower and get higher?

 

[mackjess]

Speaking of birth plans, DH just asked if he had to cut the cord cause he's afraid he'll pass out. Poor guy. I told him we can have the doc do that!

Jane, my bump started high, but they always say my placenta is up nice and high and out of the way when they are doing my scans. I think it just depends on placement.

Hopefully my guy isn't so used to using it as a pillow that he doesn't flip around! Getting kicked in the pelvis is starting to get painful. I love that he's so busy but I get almost a worn out feeling in that area like your calf feels after a long run. Urgh!

 

[bobster]

I think so yes. It started getting higher around 16-18 weeks maybe? I remember saying to my brother about a month ago that my ribs felt different at that point. My bump looked like a food bloat before that, which started rounding a bit after 14 weeks.

I feel like I've popped a bit in the last week or so. Are you taking pictures weekly? I find this helpful to compare as time goes on as otherwise you don't see a change. When I look at 12 weeks compared to 20 weeks its crazy- i'll attach the comparison pics.. (unfortunately at work in the toilet so apologies in advance!!).

 

[bobster]

And this is at 15 weeks Jane, again in the scanky work toilet! This is where I hideout and take my secret breaks at work haha!!

 

[GI_Jane]

Oh wow bobster. Thanks so much for posting these. Comparing me at 15 weeks to your 15 week one I'm on the smaller side belly wise, I do feel like Ive gotten bigger in my thighs and hips but I think I'm a generally bigger build than you so guess will take longer for me to show

Maybe I will get to a certain stage and just pop too!

Loving the button undone on your trousers and your secret toilet hiding place.
I'm going to start taking weekly pics to document my bump too.

 

[mlm115]

Just have such a sinking feeling. Had spotting just now. Dark brown, but I'm terrified.