Due February 2016

Hope everyone is doing well and welcome to the new members!  

So we went for another scan today, baby's bowel is still echogenic (brighter than it should be - various possible causes) but isn't over dilated. Was 7.5mm 2 weeks ago at the most dilated spot and is down to 3mm today which is a good sign as that is within the normal range. He has picked up 180g in 2 weeks and is now 580g. Everything else still looks good Have to go back in 3 weeks so it looks like I will have scans often from now onwards. 

He is quite active and I can feel his larger movements from outside, although hubby hasn't managed to catch one yet. 

We start our Hypno-birthing antenatal classes tomorrow evening which I am  really looking forward to. I have watched loads of birthing videos and am not phased by them, I actually find it so interesting and helpful. I'm very much the "researching type" and like to know as much as I can about subjects relevant to me. 

I'm going to the baby expo in Cape Town on the 30th, plan on buying a few bigger things there as MIL is coming along and she wants to get us a car seat and pram. I will take a list with me and have a look at some prices before I go.

@CarienM, thank you so much for the list - it's gone straight in my Googledocs - 'Baby Stuff' folder

Welcome @beehen! Sorry if I missed it along the way, how far along are you?

We've been recommended by a few friends (very enthusiastic dads included) to take antenatal classes (and to skip the birthing video as it's freaks everyone out). Our hospital is a little far from home, so we'll attend classes at Constantiaberg Mediclinic, which are apparently awesome. So glad you mentioned that some classes close over Dec BabyT! I didn't think of that at all, better call and book.

Regarding the Carte Blanche episode, a family member had to abort her pregnancy at about 23 weeks because they picked up too late that their little girl had Trisomy 13 and she had major abnormalities. She gave birth to her and they got to hold her, but they couldn't take her home for burial or officially name her and that just breaks my heart. It's really beyond all reason.

On the baby movement front, we can't really feel her move from the outside yet (might be because me placenta is lying anterior-low), but I can feel lots of kicks on the inside. Apparently she's still lying head down and punching me in the bladder/groin a lot. Yesterday I actually had to excuse myself from the office - honestly thought I'd wet my pants from a punch. And this evening while watching TV, we had to pause so that I could walk around a bit. It really hurts!! This is going to be a long 4 months...

@nix, that's happened to me a couple of times! write your message in a blank email and copy and paste to make sure it posts speaking from experience.

Arghh! So annoyed, I typed out and posted this lovely long post yesterday and it didn't post

Will type it all again and post soon xxx

Hi ladies, so I have been reading the post this last week, and I am having a "fat" week. It feels as if I have become huge this week and everyone now notice that I am with child! One even told me her baby was born on 21 weeks and 3 days and her little girl is currently 8 years! Amazing hey? Fits right in with the carte blanch thing..... And everyone wants to touch me or my tummy. It is weird for me!

@BabyT you can try mount amanzi in harties. We just had a weekend away there.

@BabyT - what about Mount Grace in Magaliesberg?

Hi Ladies, I need a little help please....

I am trying to arrange for a last little weekend getaway for me an hubby in November and I want to ask for suggestions please... I am trying for something not more than 3 hours out of Jo'burg and also not something self catering, but I am very open minded...

Any suggestions???

Thanks