ADVICE PLEASE FROM MUMS OF 4 OR MORE

[luvalittleman]

I am having a little panic attack that I may be pregnant with more than 1 baby here which would be more than I could cope with.
My dates are spot on (am 8 weeks and 4 days) pregnant with my 4th live baby (incidently my 6th pregnancy but 2 never progressed more than 9 weeks and 6 weeks).
I know I will measure a little bigger but it's now getting uncomfortable sleeping on my belly and when I feel for my uterus, it is sitting less than 2 inches below my belly button. I am quite tall (5 foot 9 inches) but I can't remember measuring anywhere near this with DD3 (PG5).
Did anyone else measure really big early and go on to have a singleton?

[Salsa]

I FINALLY found the thread!!
I have just had a good feel of mine, this is my 4th pregnancy, and mine is a good inch above pubic bone (maybe even 2).
As Atomic said in the other thread, it is normal after having multiple pregs to be this way. When do you go for your first scan or doc appoint?
I have already been for one and there is def only 1 baby in there!

[luvalittleman]

Thanks Salsa, that's reassuring.
I am going for a nuchal and cvs in 3 weeks today. I didn't have a cvs with any of my previous pregnancies (32, 34 and 36) but I am 39 now and the chances for chromasomal issues increases enough in my age group that I want the peace of mind.
I am experiencing lots of uterus pain (round ligament?) this time around....it feels like bub is growing every hour!!! Much more pronounced than the previous pregnancies. How about you?
I was wondering about you and how you are feeling given you have been pregnant with both genders...any indication on sex of bubs based on symptoms?
So how did you get an early scan here in OZ? Are you seeing an OB?
I saw an OB for my first 2 babies and they ended in a posterior delivery with an episiotomy and a caesarian due to frank breech respectively. Third time around I said bugger this and saw a chiropractor to keep everything loose and took myself off to the local public hospital with the midwifes. Despite her being 9 pound 2, I managed to have a completely natural birth with no intervention so I have elected to go that way again. Sadly, that means no early scan and no nice posh room at a private hospital.

[4devochki]

With each successive pregnancy your uterus stretches more easily and quickly, like it remembers what was required of it! It's normal to get bigger, quicker each time around.

That said, I don't really recall that my third (continuing) pregnancy with twins left me much bigger, earlier than in the first two.

However many you are carrying, good luck! I saw our two at a 7-week ultrasound--you could take a peek if you're dying to!

[Mrs_P]

hate to say it (as don't like owt or raising hopes) but although my tummy has grown quickly most times, with all three of the boys right from the word go i couldn't stand anything on my tummy at all and ended up in maternity clothes before three months as i got tummy ache and pains from a waste band or anything pressing on my tummy really quickly. This time around i can still wear my normal trousers though they are struggling to stretch big enough. Not sure its gender related but have had placentas in varying positons etc and this is the first time i had not had that 'symptom'

[luvalittleman]

hate to say it (as don't like owt or raising hopes) but although my tummy has grown quickly most times, with all three of the boys right from the word go i couldn't stand anything on my tummy at all and ended up in maternity clothes before three months as i got tummy ache and pains from a waste band or anything pressing on my tummy really quickly. This time around i can still wear my normal trousers though they are struggling to stretch big enough. Not sure its gender related but have had placentas in varying positons etc and this is the first time i had not had that 'symptom'

Thanks Mrs P, I've read lots of your posts. You seem to be my polar opposite. Am so happy to see you are having a little girl after 3 boys...it must be a dream come true. Thanks for sharing a little hope with the big belly theory. I was convinced every one of my pregnancies was a boy (:rofl:) so this time I am remaining as neutral as possible. The biggest thing has been the morning sickness which was for the most part, absent with the girls....started at 4 weeks and peaked last week. Am 9 weeks today and for the last 3 days it has turned into afternoon/evening sickness. No vomiting but I feel really crook and just want to lie on the couch and not move or talk. Also, for someone who doesn't eat fast food, I am quite obsessed with eating Big Macs (have only given in once so far but asked my husband to go get one for dessert last week which cracked him up). Mmmm...something about the pickles in that sauce I think. I even googled how to make them which incidently is posted on the internet.... Anyway, thanks for all your reassuring comments ladies. I will find out soon enough if I am to have a son, or not. xx

[minimatron]

Luv, I've always gone public and just requested an early scan through my gp. This time around I have been good and waiting until my nt scan. My uterus is stretched too and I don't remember being this big with the others. This is my 5th pregnancy. Good luck x

[Salsa]

Thanks Salsa, that's reassuring.
I am going for a nuchal and cvs in 3 weeks today. I didn't have a cvs with any of my previous pregnancies (32, 34 and 36) but I am 39 now and the chances for chromasomal issues increases enough in my age group that I want the peace of mind.
I am experiencing lots of uterus pain (round ligament?) this time around....it feels like bub is growing every hour!!! Much more pronounced than the previous pregnancies. How about you?
I was wondering about you and how you are feeling given you have been pregnant with both genders...any indication on sex of bubs based on symptoms?
So how did you get an early scan here in OZ? Are you seeing an OB?
I saw an OB for my first 2 babies and they ended in a posterior delivery with an episiotomy and a caesarian due to frank breech respectively. Third time around I said bugger this and saw a chiropractor to keep everything loose and took myself off to the local public hospital with the midwifes. Despite her being 9 pound 2, I managed to have a completely natural birth with no intervention so I have elected to go that way again. Sadly, that means no early scan and no nice posh room at a private hospital.

I think a CVS is a good idea, if its going to help put your mind at ease. Im paranoid in the first tri, so try to get anything and everything I can to help calm my nerves. I start out by getting my beta hcg levels checked regularly making sure they are doubling and I always have an early dating scan. (Especially this time round my dates werent accurate by going on my LMP as I had such irregular cycles since my last baby)
Yes I see an OB. I think he's wonderful!! He's delivered my other 3 babies, all natural and no stitches. So Im sticking with him! haha I too have big babies (all around 9lb) but he is a wonderful doc how guides me well during delivery, fingers crossed it goes smoothly again this time.

My sister has her babies in a public hospital and is very happy with that system. So long as you are happy with the care thats all that matters!!

My symtpoms with the different genders have all been different!! My first, my DD I was sick for about 6-7weeks, very nauseous, but didnt vomit much. I had lots of little pimples all the time on my face, and couldnt stand to look at chocolate for the whole pregnancy (usually I quite like my chocolate!)
With my second, DS1, it was the complete opposite. I wasnt sick AT ALL, had glowing skin and couldnt eat enough choc!! I was convinced he was a boy coz the preg was quite different to my DD
However, my third, DS2 I was VERY sick, but for only 3 weeks. I vomited often during the day. I actually lost weight during the first tri as nothing seemed appealing to eat. That preg was more similar to my first so I had a strong feeling he was a girl. Was rather shocked when a little (or big 9lb 7oz) boy came out!! lol

So this time round, Im extremely sick!! The sickest Ive ever been... its going on for longer than my last preg, I have bad skin, vomit at the word "chocolate" ...
So, so far this preg is more like my DD, but too hard to say as they have all been so different.
How is your preg going compared to your 3 daughters??
When will you get the CVS results?

[luvalittleman]

My first two pregnancies were identical. Barely any MS (tiny bit starting week 8/9 and gone by end of week 11). BB's didn't change much )maybe up a size before milk came in). Very little symptoms and only put on about 13 kg each pregnancy (6 weeks after birth I only had 3kg to lose on both). DD3 I was skinny conceiving so was ravenous the whole first trimester and put on about 5kg. I only ended up putting on about 14kg (not much given I'm 5 foot 10 inches) Overall, I felt pretty good though and was able to exercise through all pregnancies. This time my BB's are significantly bigger (as is my tummy but I've had a fair few pregnancies now) - it's the MS that has been the worst. Had a dream last night I was having twins which would not be exciting news to be honest...
My Nuchal and CVS are in 3 weeks so I should be able to get some reassurance that bubs is healthy, single and carrying some tackle (haha).
Fingers crossed!