April 2013 due date anyone?

Anyway, mumofmoo.. Hi there. Can you please tell me about your exp in AH as I'm thinking about going there instead of City. TIA x

Hi ladies, Mumofmoo-hello! Nice to meet you-like you I think I might be earlier than expected too (but maybe my wishful thinking!). City hospital is a good choice. Are you planning to go to an expat woman bumps and babes coffee am? Maybe I could meet you? So ladies....new symptoms for me...am I alone?!! 1) don't laff....but my poohs are huge klangers..., have been visiting lotsa families and spending a lot of time in their loo tryin t flush....blush blush 2) DH still can't feel baby move-any ideas besides prodding baby?! 3) lower stomach muscles stinging when I walk more than half hr....I need a stomach sling! 4) indigestion, leaking cervical fluid and night shakes still ongoing 5) emotional wreck.....whimper 6) sooo hungry all the time-just can't feel full nom nom nom Lol-anyone free f a drink during nxt wk? I promise I'll try and not leak fluids or cry;) Has anyone been to any good dsf baby sales? Hope you're all keeping well-let me know how you're getting on. I'm 25wks tdy...15wks left...,eek! Has anyone got a cat? Any thoughts on newborns and pets? Max edited by maxmistry on 05/01/2013 Sadly I am working so no chance of coffee mornings for me! Your DH cant feel the baby? You can though right? Have you seen it move in your tummy just by watching when you are laying down? Im never hungry but I totally relate to your pooping issues ;-)

Happy New Year to you too Max. I can totally relate to the 6th symptom you're having. I am ALWAYS hungry!!! It's driving me crazy that I have to eat something every 2 hours. :( Regarding your DH not feeling baby's movements, I think it has something to do with the position of your placenta and/or the baby's position too. But you can feel the baby kicking, right? I WAS planning to deliver in City hospital, but after the recent increase of almost 60% (my OB didn't confirm this yet, I will ask her on Monday) I'm thinking twice. She has her own private clinic but she only delivers in there. Sigh.

Bunintheoven - I'm torn between prams too. My friend got a Quinny Buzz 3 like 2 weeks ago and she loves it. But she herself admits it's too heavy and she doesn't think she will use it for a long time, maybe 6 months max. So what's the point of spending 2k on a pram that you will use for a short period of time? And she had to buy the bassinet too because it's not good for newborns. But out of all the prams I've seen, I love the way the Buzz 3 looks the most. It's just so modern, so me. If you have info on other pushchairs pls let me know, as I'm still looking for other options. I did buy some maternity clothes, mostly the sale from h&m maternity line. I don't need anything fancy because I'm not going to be preggers forever. So just some jeans and tops. I bought some baby stuff, mostly newborn, 0-3 months clothes that are just sooooo adorable I couldn't stop myself from buying them even if I'm only 24 weeks along and most people think it's too early to shop.

Hi all, Not much to report really, I just wanted to say happy new year! And what a year this will be. I'm a bit nervous about it all. I have only just started to look at prams/strollers/pushchairs. I had no idea there was so much choice! I found it a little overwhelming. Pinkbutterfly, what did you buy? We still have plenty of time right? I am now 23 weeks. More pressing is my need to buy clothes that fit. I have found my changing body shape quite a challenge. I like it and I'm fascinated by it but it is still a challenge. I am not one of those people who only expand out front. My body is definitely stacking away the acorns for breastfeeding. I am trying to embrace it but it is difficult! So many changes in such a short time. Puberty took longer than this. Anyway, I also vowed not to moan about anything so I am just going to enjoy learning how to best dress my curves. Has anyone heard of diastatis recti? Or separation of the abdominal muscles? That's happening to me. I'd never heard of it! Because the result is weakened stomach muscles it can contribute to back pain. My resolution for the new year is to start yoga/pilates and strengthen the other muscles so that I have a good chance of recovery afterwards. The two halves don't always knit back together. Now I'm wondering what else is in store for me that I had never heard of. I have less than 4 months of discovery to go before the big eye-opener, the birth! I was going to keep this message short. Happy new year everyone! xx Destination Maternity have a great sale on for new clothes :-)

Hi all, Not much to report really, I just wanted to say happy new year! And what a year this will be. I'm a bit nervous about it all. I have only just started to look at prams/strollers/pushchairs. I had no idea there was so much choice! I found it a little overwhelming. Pinkbutterfly, what did you buy? We still have plenty of time right? I am now 23 weeks. More pressing is my need to buy clothes that fit. I have found my changing body shape quite a challenge. I like it and I'm fascinated by it but it is still a challenge. I am not one of those people who only expand out front. My body is definitely stacking away the acorns for breastfeeding. I am trying to embrace it but it is difficult! So many changes in such a short time. Puberty took longer than this. Anyway, I also vowed not to moan about anything so I am just going to enjoy learning how to best dress my curves. Has anyone heard of diastatis recti? Or separation of the abdominal muscles? That's happening to me. I'd never heard of it! Because the result is weakened stomach muscles it can contribute to back pain. My resolution for the new year is to start yoga/pilates and strengthen the other muscles so that I have a good chance of recovery afterwards. The two halves don't always knit back together. Now I'm wondering what else is in store for me that I had never heard of. I have less than 4 months of discovery to go before the big eye-opener, the birth! I was going to keep this message short. Happy new year everyone! xx

Hello to everyone again. Uzzizach - Great news that your GTT went well. I'm going for mine next visit. Wish me luck :) Maxmistry - Oohh I did buy some stuff. I just couldn't wait!!! Have you started shopping? We passed 5 months already. What a milestone :D I hope your indigestion gets better. I never had indigestion so far, thank God. Maybe because I'm always eating? Lol. Again, good luck on my GTT on January. :D Hiccup - It is amazing indeed. My little fella is most active around 1am, so DH is always waiting patiently and LO will always kick really hard. (future Man United player as DH said) :D Merry Christmas to all the April mommies. Take care and enjoy the holidays. xxx

Hello Ladies!!!! How are we all doing? Im 24 weeks, due 10 April which is my DH birthday but I am convinced my little girl is coming and of March. Obviously no real reason to think that, I just do Im delivering at City Hospital (if everything goes to plan) with Dr Britt I live in Bur Dubai and I know about 3 people in Dubai with Kids and thats about it really x

Hi Girls Its good to hear everyone's doing so well. I'm at 22 weeks now and the little fella (yes, we know its a fella), is doing somersaults and backflips. Its great to feel the movement. My husband felt it on Friday too - totally blew his mind. We went for the 20 week scan (morphology scan I think the doc called it - technical name) at the weekend and it was amazing to see the little one. He's probably recognisable as a human being now which is exciting! The doc mentioned to me about the GTT at the weekend, but to be honest I'm not going to bother. When I saw the midwife at the clinic a few weeks ago (who used to work in the NHS), she said that they just do it as standard here because its private healthcare, but there would be other signs if you've got the start of diabetes and 9 times out of 10 testing as standard is just not necessary unless you have other indicators. I just told the doc, I won't be silly about it but I'm doing well, I'm eating healthily, I'm exercising and there's no history of it in the family. If I start to feel unwell or things change then I'll definitely go back and have it done. But its not something they test as standard in other parts of the world so I'm happy to follow that. How excited is everyone for Christmas? I go home on Friday and can't wait. The hubby has been in Afghanistan all week so that's put a little dampener on the Christmas excitement. He was supposed to return back tomorrow but he's just emailed to say he's coming back today. Waaaahoooo! Let Christmas commence! Take care everyone over the break. It's going to be a big year next year!

Hello everyone! I already did my glucose test and result is favorable! I did it last Friday but for some reason a lot of mommas-to-be flocked to City Hospital for GTT. I arrived at around 8:30 but waited almost an hour before starting the process. Torture! But everything went well. Fasting was bearable and the sweet stuff helped too. It's orange-flavoured so it's not that sickening. I had another scan yesterday to check if everything is okay. Baby is fine but he was too shy to show his face, I could only see the nose since he couldn't cover it with his left hand alone. I'm so happy to read all the good news and excitements about this journey. I hope everyone is okay all throughout. Be safe! It's raining nowadays and it's getting colder, load up on multivits or Vit C to avoid Cold & Flu. bunintheoven: Really sucks to have a cold during pregnancy. Sip some hot lemonade or ginger tea. Get well!

Hey ladies. Anyone started shopping already? Babyshop is on sale til January. I keep coming back there EVERYDAY contemplating if I should buy now or later. Lol. My DH said it's still too early and I should wait til Feb or March. Please tell me he's wrong. :D I'm glad your 20wks scan went well, mine did too. Ohhh I saw LO's face!!! During the 4d scan he was yawning (or maybe just opening and closing his mouth). Really amazing experience. How's everyone doing?

Max that's terrible! You have every right to be sad and very mad! Did you make a complaint? We also don't want to find out but at every scan I get really nervous that I am going to find out by accident. Last time she said "don't focus on this part here" which of course makes you look and I thought that was a bit disrespectful of our request. The resolution was so low I couldn't see anything but I would have preferred her to say "you should look away now". Anyway, I am very sorry it happened to you but it is good to see you have the right attitude - and you get to say he or she now and not refer to it or the baby all the time. I haven't had chills or leaking, both sound awful, especially the chills. Leaking sounds like the weird sorts of things that you expect with pregnancy. Dare I ask where you are leaking from? Have you spoken to anyone about either? Let us know if you get any sort of explanation. I have had indigestion at the end of the day. Not fun. And I have a cold. Also not fun and frustrating to not be able to take anything for it. Shows how dependent I am on quick fixes. I'm not having my 20 week scan until I will be almost 22 weeks. I hope that isn't a problem. And I have been told to do my glucose test at about 27 weeks. I was just told to fast overnight from food and water and come to the hospital first thing in the morning (they open at 7.30am) and I'll be done by mid-morning. Fasting while you are sleeping is much easier than fasting during the day! Thanks for the youtube tips. I think I found your Irish pilates instructor. I really need to get back into some exercise. I have been letting it slip lately. I was very dedicated in the beginning and now I probably haven't done any exercise for a month! I need to start to get into shape. I know what you mean about feeling lardy. I need some good old exercise endorphins. And some sleep. On that note, good night, sleep tight, sweet dreams and happy weekend. I am seeing five films this weekend! What was that I was saying about exercise? Ahh, next week. Before I go, one question - has anyone's husband felt the movements yet? I have seen it move from the outside so it shouldn't be long. The hardest part will be getting the timing right. xxx

Hi Ladies, its taken me ages to get around to posting, but I had my 20 wk scan yest (at 21w 3d), and all is fine & healthy, so think I should start facing reality that this baby is coming now! This is my 2nd baby, my first was born last Aug at city hospital with Dr Elsa, which was a great experience, and one I'm hoping to replicate this time. I've also heard good things about American, so would suggest either. I've also been going to the foetal clinic for the major scans, which I prefer, as they are solely trained in this one area. I'm keen to start doing some exercise again, I've been using the 'eating for 2' excuse for far too long now! Those that have tried prenatal yoga & pilates please could you forward me the details. Regarding strollers & baby equipment it is definitely a lot more cost effective buying in the UK or abroad & bringing over if you're travelling, if not the DSF sales start from the beginning of Jan here & can get some great deals. If anyone fancies meeting up for a juice or hot chocolate any time just let me know, I'm not working at the moment so pretty free. louise_field at hotmail dot com Also if anyone has any questions that I can try to help with having gone through the whole thing once before please just message me, although my memory is like a sieve at the moment! Take care ladies X

Hello mommies and mommies-to-be! Hope everyone's having a good and beautiful pregnancy. I had my 20 week scan a couple of weeks ago and I'm glad everything turned out well. I'm seeing Dr. Azizunissa Shaikh at City Hospital (Now Mediclinic). Next week I'll have my glucose tolerance test. Any tips? They told me I need to fast for 8-10 hours. I hope I can survive not taking anything before the bloodtest and 2 hours after taking the sweet stuff. Can I not really have anything? Even water?

Hi Merinochristina, As far as I can tell (this is my first pregnancy) there are good stories and recommendations for all the OB/GYNs at City Hospital. Use the search function on this forum and enter each doctor's name to see what people have been saying about them in the past, then when you call the hospital to make an appointment have two or three in mind because some of them can be booked up well in advance. Although if you are only arriving in March you may be able to get your first choice. Start with this thread from just a couple of months ago to get some of the names: http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=186532 Good luck. I hope the move isn't too stressful for you. Have you been to Dubai before? <em>edited by bunintheoven on 30/11/2012</em>

Hi Maxmistry, Thanks a lot for your advise, may I ask you the well known doctors/more populars for the City Hospital? It would be great to have some references. Thanks a lot! Hope you are keeping well. Cheers

Hi all, Max, sorry to hear about your friend. It must be truly devasting. I'm finding it difficult to slow down and let other people carry things for me etc but it's a good point you make. Phily, I have had that tightening experience only once and it was after a mammoth day on my feet. I don't think it's too early for Braxton Hicks. Not common but not impossible. Not that i have any experience but i have heard of early BH, just not sure how early. If they keep happening I would mention it to your doc. Do you have email contact with him/her? I asked my doctor about the left side sleeping and she said that's only important after 28 weeks. So like Max said, go back to doing whatever gives you a good night's sleep! For now at least... Swapping body sides meant swapping bed sides for me (because I like to face out) so hubby is glad he gets his side of the bed back for a little while! Max, you were worried about doing the 20 week scan too late so I thought you'd like to hear that my doc prefers to do the morphology scan during the 21st week because you get a better view of the connective tissue of the heart (or something like that- I must start taking a notepad into appointments with me. And she recommends the Fetal Medical Centre for the scan because the scanner is trained specifically in fetal scanning and not just a radiographer. It is pay-and-claim but she thinks worth the hassle. I'm sure every doctor has difference practices and reasons but I just thought I'd share my experience. Thanks for the youtube tip. I looked to download a prenatal yoga DVD but couldn't find anything good. And 28 minutes sounds perfect. I'll look it up. Is anyone around over the Xmas period? xx

Hi Bunintheoven, With sleeping - I think baby has found the insomnia button (close to the pee several times a night button). I start off on my left side, but am also a natural right-side sleeper. More often that not, I wake up finding myself either on my back or my stomach - never have before so it's all a bit bizarre... Have found sleeping quite uncomfortable as well. Think I will be trying the pillow between the knees trick. Very exciting to be feeling kicks! I have felt one or two which have been rather weird. Kind of like my stomach rumbling inside a balloon. Just posted on May due dates, but has anyone been getting a kind of tightening across their tummy? Comes and goes a bit. Think it's a bit early for Braxton Hicks but keen to hear if anyone else getting the same. Well must go, so hope you're all keeping well. Philly

Hi all, I have something exciting to share! For those like me, addicted to a good cup of tea and trying to watch your caffeine intake, I have finally found a good decaf tea!! It is Barry's Tea and you can get it in some Spinneys and Waitrose. I have tried Tetley and Dilmah and Dilmah was better than Tetley but Barry's is better than both of them by far! Max, I can't compare City with American but I have had no reason to complain with the City system so far. I went on their maternity ward tour last Friday and it was all very reassuring. I don't think it is too late to change. I was told I should switch from the doctor I was seeing to the obstetrician for delivery around 21/22 weeks. I have my next appointment at City this Thursday. I haven't booked in for the morphology scan yet but I would think an external company might even be better if that's what they specialise in. If you're not happy, I would shop around. You could keep both options open while you decide. You don't want to be in labour and not have faith in the team around you. Can you tell me more about the palpitations you mentioned? I have had what I thought felt like palpitations a couple of times. They didn't last for long but I wasn't sure if I should mention them to anyone. This week I have developed hip pain at night and it is driving me a little insane. Has anyone else experienced this? It is like a dull ache and you just can't get comfortable. I was up googling it in the middle of the night the other night and it seems fairly common from around 16 weeks and is the result of loosening ligaments. I was miserable. There are a number of suggestions including doing stretches morning and night, putting a pillow between your knees and getting a foam topper for your bed. Is anyone else worrying about making sure you're sleeping on your left side? I'm normally a right side or back sleeper so it is just one more stress to make sleep a little more difficult. I thought this was something we didn't have to worry about until later but then one of the books I'm reading said at 18 weeks 'you should continue sleeping on your left-hand side' so oops! I thought I had better start. I'll ask my doctor about it. The other thing I am going to ask her about is the flu shot. I have never had the flu or the flu shot but I saw it recommended for pregnant women and with my travel to London in December I wondered whether I should get it this year. Max, sadly I am going to have to miss the Baby Show all together. I am not flying back from London until Saturday evening. Finally, I have a heartwarming story to share. I was in Ras al Khaimah on Friday and happened to be at the museum at the same time as a planned visit by the Sheikh. To welcome the Sheikh there was a big bagpipe and drum band. Soon after the band started I got two little kicks! Baby like bagpipes! I wasn't sure if they could hear yet and thought maybe it was a coincidence or caused by the vibrations but google says the baby starts to hear from around 18 weeks! That's most of my news for the week. Has anyone looked into antenatal classes yet? When do you normally do antenatal classes? Later on? Looking forward to hearing all your news, xx p.s. I had a teary day the other day - I was a bit delicate to start with but I knew it was hormones when I walked into Pottery Barn Kids and burst into tears at the sight of the Christmas decorations. Crazy lady.

Hi ladies, hope you are keeping well I am due in April 2013, is anyone too?? We are moving from London to Dubai by March, as I do not have any idea about hospitals, could you please give any adivse?? best ones/prices etc Thanks a lot for your help! Cheers <em>edited by merinocristina on 22/11/2012</em>

Hi all, Sorry for the long silence. I went to London for a week of work and then Sydney for 10 lovely days to visit family and friends and celebrate my birthday with my twin. The word birthday has a whole new meaning now! It was very nice. I missed having a wine with them all but made up for it in good food. It starts to seem a lot more real when people are giving you baby gifts! All gender neutral for us - we aren't going to find out until he/she arrives. Pink butterfly - what a shock! I hope you didn't have too many pink things. I have my 16 week appointment today. I really look forward to these appointments. I am starting to relax a lot more but it is nice to be reassured that everything is ok in there. Fingers crossed. Has anyone felt any movements yet? A couple of times I have felt something that I COULD be a movement but I'm not sure. My grandmother tells me it is my imagination. Thanks Nana. For people who know I am pregnant I am definitely showing now. People on the street might just wonder if I have eaten too many burgers. I have some H&M maternity jeans which I love but everything else is just larger sizes or stretchy material. No elasticated waists yet. I haven't started looking at equipment/furniture at all. Good tip to wait for the shopping festival! I would love to go to the Mother Baby and Child Show but I will be in London again so could only go on the last day, the 8th. If anyone is planning on going then let me know and hopefully we can meet up. Has anyone else been having vivid dreams? I should start writing them down. They are a bit disturbing. Well, back to work today, should get moving. It was nice to catch up with you all. I am glad everything is going well. Max, I hope you get some better sleep. Have you tried having a banana before bed? Banana has tryptophan in it which helps induce sleep (so they say). So does dairy and walnuts. And turkey I think!

Hi ladies, how's everyone doing? I went for my 16th week check up and found out I'm actually having a BOY! (Contrary to what my OB said about a girl), so I'm saying goodbye to my pink ideas, hello blue! :) How's it working for everyone else? I feel very normal now, got all my energy back, no more morning sickness, no more extra sensitive sense of smell (which is a curse if you live in UAE if u know what I mean lol). So yea, I'm just very excited. I want to start shopping for my future LO. :)