Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Kelly is loving it!

Feeling great and still got lots of energy, I love this phase! Just found out that two of my friends are pregnant and they are 11 and 14 weeks and are both badly suffering from nausea. It seems like such a long time ago that I was affected and wondering how I would get through every day but on the other hand it is unbelievable that I am already 26 weeks pregnant. Only 14 weeks to go!

Friends and family have been great with all their gifts. One friend gave us her cot so we just needed to buy a new mattress and a kind neighbour has donated their stair gates. Other friends have donated various maternity clothes which has saved me a fortune, I have really appreciated it. Another neighbour has been giving advice on local baby and toddler groups, nurseries and child minders which has also been very handy.

We have started to look at nurseries as a friend advised us that many good ones had waiting lists and indeed they do. It does seem crazy as 3 months before the baby is due for there to be waiting lists for 9 months time, but then I would rather look now then when I am the size of a hippo or when I am getting to grips with motherhood.

Got my nephew’s christening this weekend and I have been asked to be his Godmother. I am really looking forward to it and bought a lovely dress from H&M whose maternity clothes are very reasonable and pretty trendy. Jacob is nearly seven months old and he changes every time I see him.

Here's Jacob:


My sister is loving motherhood and has given me plenty of tips. I love playing with him and cuddling him. He is a really contented baby and will go to anybody. When I look at him I see both my sister and brother-in-law in him. It will be great for our baby to have a cousin so close in age as there will be only 10 months difference and we hope that they will be close growing up. We also have two nieces who will be about 16 and 17 months older, so our baby will be spoilt with fellow cousins to play with.

The going gets tough for Ria....

This last week has been the toughest yet of my pregnancy, we returned to school on Monday, which I have been anxious about because it’s not a job you can do at 80% - kids can be very energy sapping! Physically I am exhausted and feeling grotty all day, but because there isn’t much to show yet I also feel a bit of a fraud for feeling so rubbish!

Jon is like a cat with two tails and is bubbling over with excitement about the baby, but I just haven’t been able to share that this week because my body is doing funny things and making me feel very unlike me! He is convinced that in the next trimester all of this will magically disappear and I will feel wonderful…let’s hope he’s right!

We are eagerly awaiting the 12 week borderline, as we are desperately keen to tell everyone, partly to share in our excitement, but also so they understand why I’ve been so lethargic and weird! I have a little roundness, the start of a bump that is beginning to emerge and has literally popped up in the last week. I’m sure I’m not going to be able to hide it at school; teaching gym and dance and bouncing around you are on show a lot of the time so I’m not sure it’ll be a well kept secret!

I have started to swim as part of my “stay fit for baby” plan! I feel too tired to run or do much else in the gym, and am not allowed to play netball so swimming has begun! I’ve never been a great fan of swimming pools, but have actually found it quite therapeutic and good stress relief.

On the food front, I am still a bit low down on my appetite and have some funny ideas about what I fancy… plain crisps and Rich Tea biscuits are easy to stomach at the moment, and thankfully I can’t get enough of fruit, so am not going to turn into a total porker on crisps and biscuits!

Charlotte is concerned about additives...

Hello again,

Well following my blog last week I had good news from the airline; I can fly abroad for the day trip even though I will be 30 weeks pregnant! I just need to ensure that I have a letter from my doctor that has been written within 7 days of the flight to say that I can fly. I am so pleased I can go, but a little apprehensive as I have never flown whilst pregnant before! I did some research and all the information I read said that there is no risk to the baby, the pressure in the air will make it harder for the blood to circulate around my body, so it will mean that my body will need to work a lot harder to pump my blood, but this will not affect the baby. I will just need to ensure that I drink lots of water and keep my legs and body moving as there is a slightly higher risk of thrombosis too. I also need to ensure I take a copy of my pregnancy notes with me too just in case…!

So have you been reading and listening to the news about the research that has finally said what we all know; that food additives can cause hyperactivity and behaviour problems in children.


I do hope that the government will ban them soon as so many other countries have. It’s really got me thinking though, as I always ensure that I don’t give my son any foods with artificial additives. However, last Wednesday he was given a chocolate spread sandwich at nursery and when I collected him and brought him home he was really disagreeable and crying and nothing I did could console him. He wouldn’t take a bath either, and it was only when I got him into bed after five minutes of crying he settled.

This happened again this weekend on Saturday after we went to a children’s birthday party; there were lots of healthy snacks there but my son also had some cake, cocktail sausages and squash too. His reaction was the same when I took him home. Of course it may not have been anything to do with the food, and more to do with lots of stimulation but it does seem like a coincidence. Yesterday he was eating normally and had no problems.

Also I’ve put my name forward for an allergy study run by Poole Hospital to try to understand allergies and the development of allergies in children up to 18 months. It will study my new baby and the influence of milk/breast milk on my baby developing allergies. As I am highly allergic, I think this could be an important study and so I really want to help to understand if there are ways that allergies can be reduced (other than breastfeeding). I am waiting for some more information from Poole Hospital so I will let you know if I decide to do it when I get some more information.

Have a good week!

Jodi has finally finished work!

Here I am at 36 weeks and a lady of leisure! I finished work last week and I can’t begin to tell you what a blessed relief that is! I don’t think it’s sunk in yet that I won’t be returning for a whole year!

So, maternity leave: those four weeks of freedom before I start my next job – that of being a Mummy. Well, I’d had it all planned out that I’d be here, there and everywhere: catching up with people, shopping, baking, cleaning galore but I fear the reality will be somewhat different. After my first day at home I was surprised at just how tired I get doing the smallest of things so perhaps one major task a day and plenty of relaxation is the way to go. After all, in a few weeks time, I’ll never be able to put my feet up again!

Rhys and I attended our first antenatal class week and it was all about the labour process. It was very informative and I think Rhys really benefited and now feels better prepared for when the time comes. I also have a waterbirth class this weekend, coupled with a tour of the hospital’s maternity unit. I’m really keen on having a waterbirth if my labour goes according to plan; fingers crossed!

Well, when I next speak to you I will be deemed full-term and no doubt imagining every twinge is the start of labour! Also I should have a fully decorated nursery by then which I am really looking forward to arranging and kitting out this weekend. I have also taken delivery of a Moses basket I am borrowing from a friend and the bedding is on the washing line as I type. Finally we seem to be getting properly organised!

Well, I guess I ought to get back to the washing and ironing of those cute little baby clothes as you never know quite how soon I will need them!

Speak to you next week x

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 Charlotte's bump is getting bigger

Hi there.

Well it has been a week since my last blog already; during that time I have been really busy travelling with work and spending time with my son; making the most of the recent good weather and going for walks outdoors as much as possible. I find it improves my energy levels and makes me feel better.

I’m starting to notice how much my bump has grown! I seem to have problems with maternity clothes at the moment, because often they seem to be too big, but normal clothes are too small. At the supermarket today I had to contend with pushing my son in an unruly trolley whilst trying to ensure that my trousers didn’t fall down!

I have been experiencing some pains by my ribs, and I have read that this is because my ribs are moving to make way for the baby!! I have a really good book that helps to put my worries at ease and there are some good pregnancy websites that I have subscribed to which email me lots of information about my stage of pregnancy. I feel much happier when I know what is happening and why.

I saw my midwife last week and everything is well with my baby. I heard the baby’s heartbeat which was great. I am sure you have all heard the theory that says the speed of the heartbeat can indicate if it’s a boy or a girl, but my baby’s heartbeat is currently average so there were no clues either way!

I also spoke to the midwife about travelling while pregnant as I have the opportunity to go on a day trip aboard when I will be 30 weeks pregnant. My midwife advised me to check with the airline that I will still be able to fly with them, as some airlines don’t like to take pregnant women who are in their third trimester. I was surprised as I have read that airlines take pregnant women until 34 weeks. She said that it wouldn’t cause any harm to the baby, it’s just that some airlines are concerned that you may go into labour on the plane. I have to admit that I don’t know anyone who has flown in their third trimester apart from celebrities that I have read about! I really do hope I can go!

Not long to go for Jodi...

Hello all, I am now 35 weeks, a mere fortnight away from full term....now that is very scary!

The good news if you read my last entry is that baby is no longer breech. Hoorah! I felt a big shift in there last week and thankfully baby is now head down. This was confirmed at my 34 week midwife appointment which was without a doubt my best appointment since being pregnant.

My usual midwife was on nights so I got to see a different lady. You know how sometimes you just click with someone? Well that was certainly the case here. She had the time to properly address my concerns and I came away feeling so reassured.

Currently I am down to have this baby at a midwife led unit (as long as there are no complications) and I had a number of fears as to what would happen if things started going wrong, or if I decided I wanted an epidural, and she managed to allay every one of them and I walked away feeling confident that I can do this!

I am also measuring spot on for my dates, my blood pressure is nice and low and my iron levels were quite frankly very impressive! All in all I am the class swot when it comes to having a healthy pregnancy and that's just the way I like it!

The other big achievement this week is that my hospital bag is packed, so I am ready to go! It's unbelievable quite how much stuff you need but I must admit I did rather enjoy washing the cute little babygros and sleep suits which my baby will be wearing in a few weeks time. Exciting!

Bag packed and ready to go:





The next priority is getting the nursery decorated. In the past week my partner and I have chosen the paint, it was rather amusing when we asked the staff in B&Q to mix up the gloss for us; they had to double check that we really did want bright orange and green! Don't worry, the walls are going to be white (hopefully with characters from the bedding painted on - thanks Dad!) so baby won't be too over stimulated!

It's been lovely chatting to you but I best get back to work. I am just heading into my final week now and the end can't come soon enough. Speak next week.

Ria's gone back to school!

I think I have probably had the sleepiest week of my life! I haven’t been able to stay awake for a whole day, and keep being tempted to snuggle on the sofa under a fleecy blanket and hide with our cat! All very well for teachers on holiday, but we are back to reality this week and hopefully I’ll be too busy at school to notice how tired I am.

We had our first appointment with our midwife this week, I’m sure the looks on our faces told her instantly that we were new to this … like two excited kids on the way to Disneyland! We left an hour or so later, with first scan appointment, wee bottles, a mountain of things to read, and in charge of “the maternity notes!”

We made the most of the last of the sunny weather and went to Cornwall for a couple of days with family at the beach, all very well except that my rather undersized breasts are rapidly expanding and didn’t want to behave in my bikini! A good excuse to buy a new one! A little adventure in the surf confirmed to me that lying on a surf board in the cold water is not a good idea for sore nipples; I was in agony for ages, much to everyone’s amusement they did not want to warm up!

Jon and I are now counting down the weeks to our first scan; we desperately want everything to be OK, and to be able to tell all our friends. My friends are going to go mad when they find out I’ve been posting all my thoughts on the internet before they even know! I’ve also got to decide when to tell my boss at school, it’s tough because I work with lots of close friends, but I’m sure the words maternity leave are not a happy sound to their ears! I can’t imagine how the kids will react… or when they’ll realise, I’ll probably get a lot of stick for getting fat before someone sensible realises!

Kelly's chosen her baby names...

Still feeling well and energetic and long may it continue! Bump has had a significant growth spurt this week and I keep rubbing it with pride and glancing to see my reflection in a passing shop window. I often catch myself holding or rubbing my belly without even realising that I am doing it. Although my bump has got bigger it has not yet started to effect me getting about.

I keep wondering whether underneath my bump is a baby girl or a baby boy. Up until a week ago, I was convinced I was having a girl, but now for some reason I feel it is boy. Although looking at the old wives tales on the web, I have experienced things from having both a boy and a girl. Tim never wanted to find out the sex but I initially did - but we decided against it at the 20 week scan. It is a personal choice but I am now actually quite glad that we do not know and am looking forward to the surprise. A friend has already found out the sex and has named the baby already, which was right for them, but has reassured me that it was right for us not to find out. I look forward to Tim announcing whether we have a son or a daughter at the birth.

I also keep wondering what the baby is going to look like, will he or she look more like me or Tim? …I hope the baby gets his thick hair and dark skin rather than my paler complexion. We have decided on names already: Libby for a girl and Finlay for a boy.

This week I got organised and booked ante-natal appointments and a hospital tour of the maternity unit. I would love to have a home birth as the mothers in the ones that I have seen on maternity TV programmes seem to be quite relaxed during labour, but given this is our first baby we have decided to go to hospital which is only a ten minute drive away. There is not that long left to go now, being pregnant seems to just fly by, I cannot believe that I am nearly six months pregnant…

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Charlotte is feeling the need for chocolate!

Hi, my name is Charlotte; I am 33 years old and work as HR Manager for Organix. I have a son who is 1 ½ years old and am 24 weeks pregnant with my second baby. I like to spend time with my son and partner and go for walks, swimming or to the park; anything that takes me outdoors! On my days off I meet up with other mums so my son gets to play with other children and I can have some adult conversation!

I am really excited about writing this blog and hope that you will find it interesting too.
Being pregnant for the second time, I have really noticed how tired am. During my first pregnancy I had lots of time to spend resting, this time when I’m not at work I am chasing around after my son! This can make getting enough rest and ensuring I eat a healthy diet more challenging.

When I’m busy, I try to snack on bananas and dried fruits. I have to admit that as I don’t like to drink alcohol during my pregnancy, I do crave and eat more chocolate! My other strange craving has been for fizzy water. I think this is because it helped to stop my morning sickness during my first trimester.

I’m more relaxed in this pregnancy than my last but i do find myself worrying about what I should or shouldn’t be eating. As a vegetarian, I love to eat cheese and eggs, so I crave the foods I can’t have like runny poached eggs and soft cheeses. I also avoid peanuts, as eating them during pregnancy may cause the baby to have allergies.

There is so much to think about being pregnant, and when putting the needs of the baby and my son first, it can be easy to forget to take time out for myself. My evenings are now precious time where I get to catch up with my partner and relax. It’s when I'm at my most relaxed I feel the baby move and really connect with him or her.

I have an appointment with my midwife this week when I will hear the baby’s heartbeat again, it is so exciting! I’ll update you on that in my blog next week.