[Megan!]

Woo hoo, 17 weeks. Lots has been happening with me this week..

I think i've been feeling a few faint little taps/bubbles! Its so hard to tell if I am imagining the whole thing or not, it seems to happen when I'm laying in bed nights/mornings and I think I feel something! I find myself thinking it could be a gurgling stomach but it's becoming a bit more noticable. I'm looking forward to some really definite, unmistakable feelings.

This may sound kind of strange, but I am so excited that I have FINALLY put on some weight! It's been fluctuating by about 1/2 a kilo for the whole pregnancy, and I have been growing a noticable bump but no significant weight gain. Then all of a sudden within just a few days, I have put on 2kgs.

Now I'm in an exercise mode. I am excited to be starting yoga in Feb but until then I was thinking I might start pilates for some more muscle tone & possibly swimming or aqua. Does anyone already do these? I have never done pilates before - is it hard work?

Thank you everyone who responded about whether or not you'll be finding out the gender.. I have decided to stick with my original plan to find out. I want to bond with bubba as a girl or boy. My partner is sticking to not finding out so I'll be keeping all my little gender purchases under lock & key! I find out on the 30th, can't wait!

It's so exciting to hear everyones announcements about girls/boys, congratulations everyone! Good luck to everyone who has upcoming scans x

[miso]

Hi Megan! I am 17 weeks today and I have been feeling the same too!!!!!!! It is always just on the left of my lower abdomin where I can feel faint bubbles for a couple of seconds. It is so much different than a gurgling stomach. It is such a different delightful feeling. I can feel distant taps too!!!!! So exciting. Last night I laid on my back and asked bub to move move move! lol. Then the bubbles came . Then I ate chocolate and bub did the bubbles things again . Not sure chocolate is good for baby though

I have a skinny frame and I went back to the doctors and I have gained nearly 4KGS! I am so happy and my bump is getting noticeable.

I haven't been doing anything but just having walks in the afternoon with my partner but I have to think about doing yoga now.

I have booked my 20 week scan and I can't wait to find out the gender. I will find out on the 6th of February which I am 20 weeks pregnant that day. I wanted to do it earlier but they recommended on 20 weeks so they can see bub better.

Good luck everybody! So excited for everyone

[Kelly86]

Megan I did pilates quite regularly before I fell pregnant...I would say yes it is hard work, uses a lot of muscles you didn't even realise existed , but if you go on a regular (ideally twice weekly) basis you will really notice that you are getting stronger.

I tried to go back for the first time the other day and the instructor told me the class she had designed was not really suitable for me being pregnant...I thought that was strange as I keep reading it is one of the best exercises you can do during pregnancy...she said all the crunching movements aren't good?? So maybe you could find a special pregnancy pilates class - not sure where you are but I'm in Brisbane and a place called pure health clubs does special pregalates. Otherwise just make sure (maybe in advance) they know you are pregnant so might be able to give you alternatives to the normal moves.

Good luck!

[SammyCat]

Hi Megan I'm 16.5 weeks and haven't felt any flutters yet. But as my placenta is in front, it could be 4 more weeks before I feel anything!

I did pilates for about a year and loved it. It is hard, but you gradually build up strength to do the harder exercises. I was planning to do pregnancy pilates, but the midwife at the hospital we're going to told me not to, that the stomach exercises are bad for your stomach muscles. She said that pregnancy yoga is much better for you, maybe there are some courses near you? I've decided to swim instead though, and have my maternity bathers all ready to go for this week!

Good luck!

[newyearbaby]

Hi, I have done both yoga and pilates during pregnancy and when not pregnant etc. Both do tone you, but pilates more so. It depends what you are after. I am hypermobile and pregnancy exacerbates this, so I have found pilates better for me, but if you are a bit stiffer and want a bit more flexibility then you will benefit more from yoga. I love yoga and truly miss it, and hope to get back to it one day.

As for pilates exercises being no good for stomach muscles in pregnancy, this would be purely down to what class you do and the instructor. You should definitely only do it in a pregnancy class or with a very qualified instructor that can modify the exercises for you. If they are good, your stomach muscles will definitely benefit from pilates, as will your pelvic floor!!

If you are after specific muscle toning for pregnancy and labour you can't go past machine pilates. This is absolutely brilliant and helps amazingly with pelvic instability such as SPD. Hope this helps.

As for movements, it sounds like your flutters and bubbles are definitely the baby. I remember the excitement I had with my first pregnancy and this is exactly how they start. You will notice the bubbles turning more to tapping each day and eventually into kicks. It's very exciting!!!

[nikkidee]

Thanks so much to everyone who commented about my MIL's concerns about scans. I feel a lot better now, especially because I have had surgery on my cervix so this scan is very important to make sure all is as it should be. Thanks again everyone, each and every one of your comments was really appreciated.

So those of you who have had a scan, can we see some pictures?? I see already one gorgeous 4D image in the scan thread!

[muffinfeet]

What would you do!?
DH and I have a Wedding in August - therefore our little bub will be 2 months old. The couple have said "No Children" to families with kids above like 8 months because it's a child-free wedding. Yet they've mentioned to us that it's perfectly fine for our baby to be there because it's still so young.
I have the option for my parents or sister to babysit but also the option to bring our little baby. I can also get accommodation at the place where the Wedding Reception will be held.
What would you guys do? I need to know soon because if I decide to bring bub, it means booking accommodation, which I need to do pretty soon.
What do you guys think??

[j-o-d-i-e]

hey guys remember me, long lost jodie lol have been pretty busy around here hosue in on the market so where preparing the house and now just trying to keep it sparkling lol
currently 18 weeks, 19 on friday when we have our scan sooooo excited, we will find out the sex if our bubba is co-operative.....
have been feeling ok, wet through a stage where my iron was REALLY low and i feel horrid, every time i got up i was seeing bright lights, was dizzy just felt so sluggish and exhausted, i changed iron tables to the ones with vitamin c in it and have started feeling more human again.....


nikkidee my MIL is the same about scans, i have told her times and technology have changed there is no proof to show that they do any harm to the baby, my MIL is very old school but i feel the ultrasounds are important to check on the baby and i love seeing a beautiful little heart beat each time, makes me more at ease.

muffinfeet at 2 months i would take bub with me everyone loves seeing a newborn ....


all the best to all having scans cant wait to hear all the details and see photos

[newyearbaby]

What would you do!?
DH and I have a Wedding in August - therefore our little bub will be 2 months old. The couple have said "No Children" to families with kids above like 8 months because it's a child-free wedding. Yet they've mentioned to us that it's perfectly fine for our baby to be there because it's still so young.
I have the option for my parents or sister to babysit but also the option to bring our little baby. I can also get accommodation at the place where the Wedding Reception will be held.
What would you guys do? I need to know soon because if I decide to bring bub, it means booking accommodation, which I need to do pretty soon.
What do you guys think??

Is it far from where you live or where your relatives are? Are you planning on breastfeeding?

I would try for the babysitting option if it can work for you to leave a couple of bottles of milk, and if the baby will take the bottle. Or perhaps if it isn't far, your family member could bring bub to you for a feed half way through the reception or something. It all depends on logistics really. If it is super hard, you could aim to take the baby with you, but depending on your baby that could be hard work too.

[-Moxie-]

muffinfeet- definitely take baby. There is a huge difference between an 8 week old and an 8 month old and their level of annoyance to other people.
We had a couple bring their recent newborn to our wedding (It wasnt no children, but we werent advised there was a baby coming either). Would never have known the baby was there. All it (I have no idea if it was a girl or boy) did was sleep and eat as far as I know.

We are off for our scan on Saturday. DH wants to find out, but Ive decided not too although Im dying to know. I do think it is a girl though. Well I feel 93% certain. Tried the bicarb test and no fizz. Unless you count the white scum that formed on the top as fizz. You could hear the reaction though.

DH bought home a nappy bag from work last night. Someone at work had given it to him. Now Ive never had a purpose built nappy bag ever. I usually use a backpack as I can get all the stuff in there for all the kids. This thing is huge! Its like a pram bag I guess, but I dont tend to use a pram either. I dont know if this means anything to anyone but its a Kate Spade bag. It comes in its own calico wrapping bag. Its very nice but very stiff and its huge! Its never been used but was apparently the bosses' wifes and DH was told its "not cheap crap" LOL. There was a price tag inside with RRP of $295 but its okay, it was reduced to a measly $195.
OMG who buys these things at those prices? I must be out of touch. I was reluctant to pay the $10 for the Kmart backpack 4 years ago.

Got the email from Target that their BUmper Babython starts on Thursday. Some great buys for the budget conscious first timer. I looked throught the catalogue and couldnt see anything I really needed. Some things that I thought I might like, but really couldnt justify the cost considering this is definitley it for us. Plus I have noone to pass it on to so would be a waste. Its a pity they dont make more gender neutral clothing or prints in jumpsuits. I could go for a few nice bright yellows, purples, oranges and greens. Might have to grab a few of the Target wondersuits in 0000 and 000. Im not sure what Ill need with a winter baby. Especially as its not really very hot here in Perth.

Hope everyone has great scans.
Jacqui