Long time ...

[Jo]

Just catching up after being away over Christmas...... many congratulations Cath. Hope this time is more vomit-free than last.

[cj]

I'm so excited!! Having felt really poorly this weekend with sick, abdominal pains and general urghness, I went to see the midwife this afternoon who suggested a quick scan and we heard Ethelbert's little heatbeat racing at 170 beats per minute. He's really real!! Cheered me up no end. Just thought I'd share that with you all before I'm sick again. Happy days.

[midget]

That scan must have been very comforting for you,cj
Maggie

[cj]

It was, midget. We go to Derriford in a week or so for a fuller ultrasound which should confirm the dates, although I'm pretty sure that what happened when it did as I was there.

[Katharine]

Glad all is well, Cath. Are you going to find out whether it is Ethel or Bert or don't you want to know?

My pregnancies were before the days of scans, I don't know whether I would have wanted to know or not. One friend was absolutely certain that Patrick would be Patricia, so certain that he paid up with a bottle of champagne!

[cj]

Glad all is well, Cath. Are you going to find out whether it is Ethel or Bert or don't you want to know?

My pregnancies were before the days of scans, I don't know whether I would have wanted to know or not. One friend was absolutely certain that Patrick would be Patricia, so certain that he paid up with a bottle of champagne!

Finding out the sex of your child is virtually the last great surprise afforded to us. I have a feeling that it's going to be a boy this time, whether from wishful thinking, sleeping on my left or the Chinese lunar calendar, I couldn't say, but would be equally delighted with another daughter (although worried for the sanity of my husband with 4 hormonal timebombs to deal with). But no, we don't want to know beforehand. As long as all the bits are in the right places we shall be pleased. I'm not sure that scans make a pregnancy much easier. They can only tell you so much, so you then have the space to worry about all the things that might be wrong that they can't detect! It's all a gamble and every birth has some element of risk, and you have to accept that or go stir-crazy.

[Katharine]

Finding out the sex of your child is virtually the last great surprise afforded to us. I have a feeling that it's going to be a boy this time, whether from wishful thinking, sleeping on my left or the Chinese lunar calendar, I couldn't say, but would be equally delighted with another daughter (although worried for the sanity of my husband with 4 hormonal timebombs to deal with). But no, we don't want to know beforehand. As long as all the bits are in the right places we shall be pleased. I'm not sure that scans make a pregnancy much easier. They can only tell you so much, so you then have the space to worry about all the things that might be wrong that they can't detect! It's all a gamble and every birth has some element of risk, and you have to accept that or go stir-crazy.

I think I agree with you about the scans, and certainly agree that as long as the bits are in the right places that you will be pleased.
Whichever it is it will be a little Rat by the Chinese lunar calendar - I can't remember their main characteristics! (But they are definitely clever - that is why they are first in the cycle of animals) My DIL did not want me to tell her second daughter that she was a Rat as she did not think it sounded very 'nice'. Our first grandchild is a Monkey and that fits him to a glove!

[J.R.]

As a 'Dad' who wanted and got two daughters, but didn't want to know the sex, and Grand-Father of four from the two daughters who didn't want to know either, I seem to remember the question always used to be....


"What do you want. A boy or a girl ?"

"I don't really care as long as the baby is fit and well !"

Wish I had a fiver for every time I've heard that !

[Angela Woodford]

After having two gorgeous baby girls, I really did want a boy, but wouldn't have wanted to know before giving birth. I did feel different during the pregnancy though, much more sick. With both the girls I couldn't drink tea or coffee - even tapwater tasted disgusting - with Henry I craved a particular Kenyan finely fresh-ground coffee, eating quantities of avocado pears and Indian lime pickle, even though I did feel more nauseated. Weird. And as for tottering around with a 50" waistline...

It was so exciting when everyone shouted "It's a boy!"

I must check this Chinese lunar system. Wonder what they are? Wonder what Ethelbert will be! Have you decided home or hospital yet, Catherine?

Love, Munch

[cj]

I must check this Chinese lunar system. Wonder what they are? Wonder what Ethelbert will be! Have you decided home or hospital yet, Catherine?

Love, Munch

The Chinese lunar calendar predicts the sex of the baby by the mother's age and the month of conception - so all 35 year olds who conceived in November will be having boys. Reliable!

Funnily enough, I only ever fancy coffee when I'm pregnant and have a real craving for chicken caesar salad wraps, fruit gums, smoked salmon and champagne (have had none of the latter 2). When I'm drinking water it has to have lots of ice in it to take away the currently foul taste. Love it normally. And I can't tolerate things with sweeteners in. Having said that, I am steadily losing weight. All in all, I think it's a very bizarre and unnatural state to be in.

Remember all the stairs in our house, Munch? I think we will probably go to hospital this time. My mum gave birth (from waters' breaking and contractions starting to being back on the ward) in an hour for her second. That's my plan too!!

[Ajarn Philip]

Better late than never, but I'm chuffed to bits for you, cj.

In fact I think I may be getting a bit broody...

[cj]

Better late than never, but I'm chuffed to bits for you, cj.

In fact I think I may be getting a bit broody...

Hooray - you're on line again!

Get some chickens if you're feeling broody. At the moment, I feel it's the easier option.

[cj]

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z108 ... h/Scan.jpg

Much relief all round - there is only one in there. Phew. Things seem to be fine (head on left, body on right, arm and leg visible), all the bits in the right place, much waving (from babe and us!) and wriggling around. It is quite incredible to be able to see his/her tiny fingers and heart beating when s/he is only 5.5cm big.

[Katharine]

Great news Cath. I hope you are keeping well. We didn't have such things in my day!

My aunt did not know she was carrying twins until after the first had been born! Great shocks all round the first, John, was about 5 lbs and then out popped tiny little Helen under 2 lbs. Strange to say Helen has all the brains of the pair of them she certainly wasn't deprived in that department.

[englishangel]

That's a lovely picture, definitely one for his/her baby album