Due August 2018

@carien, now I'm even more jealous haha, sounds amazing. I was always very against c/s unless its life and death but that view has really changed for me now. I agree that it doesnt make you any less of a mom

If anyone is interested I'm part of a whatsapp group with other pregnant mommies, some from SA and from around the world. Here is the link if you guys would like to join. chat.whatsapp.com/K1JHtTIVqqCJSfSsSTSV7R

@Salemein - I can completely understand your apprehension after losing your little boy. And I can totally understand why you would rather go with a c/s, at least then you know what goes for what, you have a date in mind and all that. I would have loved to be able to deliver naturally, but it was just not an option with my first (laboured for 23 hours and just stalled, did not dialate past 2cm and then he went into distress) and number 2 tried to rival bigfoot. Finding a service provider and a back-up doc to do it after two c/s's is almost impossible. I have made peace with the fact that I will be a mom and it doesnt make me any less of a person b/c I delivered via c/s. I dont think ppl that say that you have it the easy way really consider that you are having major surgery and then you have a newborn to take care of. The only thing about the c/s I think is really horrible is the catheter. I honestly think those are invented by the devil. Hated it with my first two and I got THE most horrible UTI and then kidney infection b/c of that thing both times. I still need to speak to my doc to figure out what i need to do to not get those infections again.

Really so sorry that you have to deal with the stresses of being retrenched, I dont think there is ever a nice time to deal with that, but seriously, while you are pregnant I think is right up there with the worst time. Do you think you will start job hunting after you little one is born?

So regarding our trip, long story - so in 2016 we lived in Singapore for the year b/c my husband was interdicted from working for a new company, by the company he left. While we were there, my husband had 91 international flights, so naturally built up a lot of sky miles. He also stayed in hotels a log so gets great discounts at the same chains. It was a very difficult year for me b/c I was pretty much a single parent with a new born and a 2 year old. Anyway, so we are using the sky miles to go to the Maldives We stop over in Kuala Lumpur for a day and on the way back stop over in Singapore for a day before we head back. The whole trip will be a week. We confirmed everything with the doc before we booked anything and the airlines are good as well, i just have to have my doc write me a note (which she already has) and carry that with me always. But anyway, we are really looking forward to it. My husband is trying to convince me to wear a 2 piece bathing suit (which I have not done since before I was pregnant with my first baby!!). I guess with no one knowing us there its actually fine, will just have to see how I feel about it.

@sparky, Flu and pregnancy is the worst. Panado really only helps that much, glad you and baba is feeling better

@Carien, Thanks for the advice on the humidifier, the box doesn't say anything on it being cold mist, its the vicks brand humidifier but I'll definitely remember that if she ever feels cold. Thanks for the contact info as well. They did say that they can revise the application but I would have to pay the first payment back and off course with having debit orders and no March salary that won't be so easy. Hubby said he will pay the rent money from our flat into my account so that would at least help, We were hoping on putting that money as extra on our bond but hey. at least I did put my provident on the bond and its an access bond so if push comes to shove...

As for the c-section, even before I became pregnant my new OB said that we will go with a section if I become pregnant again (she is very pro sections) and then at my 12 week scan she did ask me if I would rather go normal again and my heart was screaming yes but my mind said no. If I get the section she will not let me go over 38 weeks (we lost Kian at 38+2). I think if I have to wait until Eliana decides to come and that the pregnancy goes over 38+2 that i will have a mental breakdown. I will literally camp outside my doctors office haha. The closer i get to 38 weeks the more I start to feel an overwhelming anxiety. I don't want to think that this pregnancy will end the same but its so difficult. With Kian everything was perfect until I went into labor so every time my doc says all is well I just don't trust it. I think if we lose Eliana too that the Lord should just take me as well because I won't be able to go through it all again.

I'm very jealous off the babymoon. Where are you going?

Hi Ladies, hope everyone is well

@Salemein - I wanted to reply to you before I forget with 2 things: 1. Yes agreed a humidifier is a must!! Just a tip, if it is a cold mist one, and you leave it on in the baby's room and go back to the baby, expect the baby to be cold to the touch. I swear I just about died the first time I did that with my oldest. He was perfectly fine but his arm was ice cold!! I shook him and of course gave him the biggest fright. So just a tip, remember that the baby will be cold!
2. For your UIF, for my 2nd child I decided to do it online (we dont get our full salary, so I claimed UIF). Getting them all the doc's was a struggle but then when they finaly confirmed they had all the docs, I struggled to get them to just do something. Anyway, on FB there is this group called Mamahood <Province> and every time someone posted there about UIF and posted the name of someone that helped them with their UIF, I made a note of it. So when I was struggling to get them to do something or one person says one thing and the other says something else, I sent a mail to these email addresses. The one guy replied w/in about 15 mins and was apparently the head of UIF. My issue was sorted w/in days. Dont know if these ppl can help you, but here are the details, might as well try and see if you come right: <Teboho.Maruping@labour.gov.za> <-- that is the guy that is the head (or was when I had my issue) and this is the lady in his team that he told to sort it out: .
And then just a question (please ignore if you feel its none of my business), if you had a natural delivery with your angel baby, why are you having a c/s now?

AFM - I am good, chugging along, we see the doc again on 05/03. My husband and I are also going away on a bit of a babymoon trip at the begining of June. We are both really looking forward to that. Baby is moving, sometimes more than others, seems she prefers to move around when I am laying down, so sometimes early morning and then other times at night, or both.

Hope everyone else is doing well

I am seriously convinced getting one too

Hi Ladies,

I hope everyone is well?

@Salemein - it could perhaps be due to her positioning inside you that you may not feel the movements as much as you would think you would. Keep calm and I am sure all is fine. I can relate with the doppler though, I do the same the moment I feel I haven't felt baby move enough.Naughty us.
It is crazy regarding your UIF, isnt there perhaps a labour broker or someone that might be able to assist you free of charge considering your situation?

@Reese - yo are too quiet. How are you and the girls doing?

AFM, we went for our anomaly scan last week Wednesday, and there is no doubt we are having a boy. He is growing perfectly and already measuring a week ahead of schedule. I have been down in bed with flu for the past week and a half and its been really bad at times. I am almost my old self again, and obviously baby is happy that I'm better too, as he is kicking up a storm.

Hope everyone has a great day.

oh yes, I forgot, humidifiers are awesome! We got one for the baby room that I'm testing out now haha, when I had a cold it did wonders and for a week now we have been sleeping with it, the one evening I didn't put it one was horrific, my husband snored a lot again and according to him i was breathing very heavy and irregular so we put the humidifier back on the next evening and we both slept so much better. will be getting a second one for both bedrooms.