I'm pregnant!

[Fearless]

Well, not me exactly :p but we are expecting our first (just over 13 weeks along now) :D

Not meant to be a 'look at me' thread, but I just wanted to share a few things which I find amazing and interesting etc.

I was sitting beside my wife the other day while she was getting her first main ultrasound. I am sure many here are not alien to this experience, but I couldn't help but marvel at not only the amazing concept of reproduction (gestation) but the amazing technology we have to facilitate and observe it.

This scan was to mainly check for any defects or conditions such as Downs Syndrome (might save that one for another thread some time)... to which we got the all clear for (yay).

I was blown away when the lady doing the scan was pointing out parts of the anatomy which were quite clear in detail but hard to imagine in something so small (6.8cms) like:

The brain
Rib cage and spine
Aorta and heart
Stomach and Bladder
etc


I have seen these scans on TV and movies many, many times over but it wasn't until I was staring at this scan that had something to do with me and my wife that I realised the wonderment of it all. No one saw me but when I was watching the heart beating (especially) I welled up with tears... just amazing.

Even though I already knew, I read up again on the foetus and how it survives in the womb without breathing oxygen into the lungs etc, that enough vital nutrients and essential elements travel through the body/Placenta to keep it alive. I try to imagine just the lungs filled with fluids, that just after birth the brain has to figure out how to operate the lungs which have never worked before to kickstart survival.

No one freaking well designed this amazing natural process, for anyone to start arguing that it 'had' to be by design is totally ignorant and naive to a point where it is insulting.

Anyway, here is the image that we received, the baby is facing the shot. It was the best angle we could get at this time. Just remember it is only 6.8cm or 68mm long.

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/1272/baby13wks.jpg

Thanks for reading.

Oh and before I go, I received this amusing email today... probably more for the mother to appreciate but still good for a chuckle.

Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women, as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn’t mean me – then you should probably read this twice.

1. The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is ‘Congratulations!’ with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you a jerk.

2. Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father – not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase ‘my baby’.

3. On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy
, birth, and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it…

4. The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone’s stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix, or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5. Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight…ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is ‘You look fabulous!’.

6. By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don’t need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes. Nor do we need to know how badly you will feel for us because we will be pregnant during the summer and how glad you are that YOU will not be pregnant this coming summer.

7. There is a reason that tickets to Labor & Delivery are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL, or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. You weren’t invited to be there when the baby was created, you probably won’t be invited to be there when it comes out either.

8. Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds
, labor, delivery, the hospital, and the parent’s home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to ‘help out’. If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

9. If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules, and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

10. The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.

Sincerely,

All the Pregnant Women in the World

[robertkd]

Indeed congratulations Fearless and partner :)

[davo]

WOOOOO YOUR %^#^&#%'ed NOW :)

hehehe congrats both of you, all the best this is awesome news :) :) :)

[Loki]

Kiss your life goodbye.

In return it will be replaced by another one much harder but infinitely more rewarding.

Congrats.

[wolty]

Congrats Mr and Mrs Fearless. I wish both of you all the best. :)

[Atrax Robustus]

Congratulations!

You can both bask in the knowledge that you have contributed to the ongoing evolution of the species!

Bravo 360

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

WOOOOO YOUR %^#^&#%'ed NOW :)

hehehe congrats both of you, all the best this is awesome news :) :) :)Yeah. What he said.

Nice to have another member over here.

So, what you gonna call him/her?

[lulu]

Congratulations! I am going to be an Aunty again to a baby with a due date about the same as yours, my SIL is just over 13 weeks too.

I relate to every word of your post, brought back memories of the ultrasounds of my kids.

Good luck, and keep circulating that email.

[Jaar-Gilon]

Congrats Fearless it's an awesome thing being a parent! Loki's right it is a big life change but totally worth it:D

Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women, as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn’t mean me – then you should probably read this twice.

1. The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is ‘Congratulations!’ with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you a jerk.

2. Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father – not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase ‘my baby’.

3. On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy
, birth, and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it…

4. The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone’s stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix, or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5. Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight…ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is ‘You look fabulous!’.

6. By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don’t need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes. Nor do we need to know how badly you will feel for us because we will be pregnant during the summer and how glad you are that YOU will not be pregnant this coming summer.

7. There is a reason that tickets to Labor & Delivery are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL, or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. You weren’t invited to be there when the baby was created, you probably won’t be invited to be there when it comes out either.

8. Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds
, labor, delivery, the hospital, and the parent’s home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to ‘help out’. If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

9. If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules, and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

10. The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.

Sincerely,

All the Pregnant Women in the World

Dear All the Pregnant Women in the World,
Better you than me!
JG

[Annie]

Congratulations Fearless'. Your attached email is right on the money too. Your baby is truly wonderous!! Wishing you both all the best. :)

[Logic please]

Congrats Fearless, excellent news... :) hope all goes wonderfully well...

[Fearless]

Aww, thank you for all the kind words.

Croc, no idea on the gender at the moment... will find out at 20 weeks but as for a name, at this stage it is the only thing we are not choosing to announce at this stage.

I think we have decided on a girls name but not a boy.

But it wasn't a surprise to hear my mother come up with some names, pretty much half of which you might find in the bible... so it might end up being Lucifer if it's a boy... we'll see :p

We also received a video of the scan which was also amazing... people keep telling me that you can get 3D photo's done when they are almost due and from what I have seen of these they are a little on the freaky side. That said, I'd probably like to have one if there was no risk.

[TimB]

Congratulations Fearless - that's great news. All the best. (start sleeping in every day from now on - it's the last chance you'll get until at least 2020, maybe even 2030 :p).

[Praxis]

(public) Congratulations mate :D

I love how you're approaching this and learning all there is to know about it (I did the same - it's even weirder when it's happening to you :eek: ).

That's a great ultrasound pic. I've seen many but I've never seen one where the baby is facing the camera!

Looking forward to sharing the journey of Baby Fearless with you here.

I do love babies :D

Re the name - here's something I found helpful that someone told me. Pick a name you think you like and spend a week or so only using that name when referring to bub. Use it with your surname as well. Do this with several names and one of them will feel/sound right.

Naming is so tricky! There's initials to worry about (pity poor Philip Oliver O'Sullivan), there's how people will chop the name down (and they will, we're Aussies, it's what we do) and if you can stand to hear that constantly and other potential pitfalls.

But at least I'm fairly confident that you'll be sensible with the spelling and won't be calling the little darling S'han-T'Iqara [with a silent q] or Jaxqusen or anything like that ;)

So exciting!!

[Xeno]

In accord with Principle 1, congratulations :)

In accord with the Zeroeth principle, best of fortune to you both and to your child[ren]. Our experience has been that it was and remains a wonderful journey.

[Praxis]

Oh and I forgot to add that Pikkiwoki is very pleased and may even send a coconut when the baby arrives.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Didn't he get the CoIP packidge already?

CoIP = Coconut over IP

[Justtristo]

Congratulations!

[Seamus]

Congratulations Fearless.

I wish your wife a safe pregnancy and delivery and a healthy child.

I was 13 when my baby sister was born. I did not enjoy my mother's pregnancy at all. However, I have adored my little sis from the day she was born. (she turns 50 this year)

[Dixie Chick]

Congrats to you...I remember my ultrasounds too...and seems like yesterday - my daughter is now 19 - hold on to every wonderful moment, it will go so fast.

And I remember listening to her heart beat the first time, that is also a tear jerker!!!

[Fearless]

Thank you again for the kind words. I'll add a bit more later on :)

[riddlemethis]

Oh Fearless that is wonderful news! Pls pass on my congrats to Mrs F. Enjoy the ride.

[Logic]

Yay yay yay! Congrats. Exciting times. I am going to a friend's baby shower on the weekend and she is 8 months pregnant and I'm nearly as excited as her to meet her baby. I hope you both have a smooth 9 months. :)

[senectus]

Congrats mate! :-)
We just had our second (and last) three weeks ago on thursday.

ugh, I now remember why the first 6-8 weeks are so hard... but once you get through them it's all good :-)


What you're being amazed at is only the beginning. What I noticed was about halfway through I suddenly become amazed at HOW LITTLE control and knowledge we have on the process.

You'll notice (especially when you have a second) that all the advice you're getting from "experts" changes. Some people will tell you one thing, and other people with the same level of experience and skill will tell you something contradicting.

It's scary.

[RealityRules]

Congratulations, Fearless. Hope you find it mostly the fun we did.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Croc, no idea on the gender at the moment... will find out at 20 weeks but as for a name, at this stage it is the only thing we are not choosing to announce at this stage.

I think we have decided on a girls name but not a boy.Quite understandable mate. There's only so many things you can safely post on a public forum after all. Anyway good luck with the whole thing, and remember to do a google search on your bay's full-name-to-be (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article95505.ece) first. :D

But it wasn't a surprise to hear my mother come up with some names, pretty much half of which you might find in the bible... so it might end up being Lucifer if it's a boy... we'll see :pHow about Barabus or even... Jesus. :p

Fearless, name it whatever you two want to name it. Not what your mother wants to name it. It is your and your wife's baby. Not mine, not your mothers, not the guy next doors. :)

We also received a video of the scan which was also amazing... people keep telling me that you can get 3D photo's done when they are almost due and from what I have seen of these they are a little on the freaky side. That said, I'd probably like to have one if there was no risk.I must say, does one really need a 3D image just before the baby is due? I mean you get a three-dimensional baby (at least one would hope you would get a three-dimensional baby) when it comes out. :D

[Mister Pervert]

Well, not me exactly :p but we are expecting our first (just over 13 weeks along now) :D

Not meant to be a 'look at me' thread, but I just wanted to share a few things which I find amazing and interesting etc.

Congrats, friend.

D9TbdheS3Sg

[Fearless]

Hey all, quick update.

Had our 20 week scan today which means we are just over half way now :eek:

Turns out we are having a boy!!

One little concern though, when the guy doing the scan was trying to check to see if all limbs were in place, all organs and vitals etc he went to look for the hands.

They were clasped together in front, therefore the baby must have been praying :eek:. So there we have it, babies may not be atheist by default. Sorry to bring this news to you but I felt it was my duty.

I will be contacting the newspapers in the morning. I am sifting through the ultrasound footage now just to check if there wasn't any images of jesus anywhere... you can never be too sure.

One thing was for certain though, the scanning bloke gave baby a couple of whacks with the ultrasound and the praying stopped so he could count all the little fingers properly.

Might have to keep this in mind.















:p

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

But he may not be praying to that god. ;)

[two dogs]

Thanks for the update; I'm pleased to hear that all is going well!

[Goldenmane]

But he may not be praying to that god. ;)

gi_nAFEniSE

Edit: why the hell can I never get yootoob tags to work?
Mod Edit: Because you insist on puttin' the whole URL between the tags, instead of just the essential piece. LINKY (http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/misc.php?do=bbcode#youtube) may be of some assistance.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Goldenmane's vid:
gi_nAFEniSE?border=1&color1=0x000000&color2=0x000000
All you need is the number after the "v=" there mate. :)

[Logic please]

@ Fearless: perhaps baby Fearless was just practicing grabbing a religitard by the lapels, and sharking really hard.... :p

Seriously, great to hear that everything is going well.... carry on, as you were! ;):D

[Made Of Stars]

Congratulations!

Was it hard? :p

[Fearless]

Congratulations!

Was it hard? :p

Haha umm... how do I answer that!? :o

Thanks for the kind words everyone. :)

...and thanks for that vid... the Crow is awesome, about time I watched it again ;)

Now to start thinking of a name... oh the pressure!

[two dogs]

...
Now to start thinking of a name... oh the pressure!
How about Mary. ;)

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Now to start thinking of a name... oh the pressure!Captain Fantastic Faster Than Superman Spiderman Batman Wolverine Hulk And The Flash Combined (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3369609/Teenager-changes-name-to-Captain-Fantastic.html)?

[Fearless]

How about Mary. ;)

There was a list of names from a book I was tending to avoid. I think that might have been one of them ha ha ;)

Croc, that is very much FTW. Given me new food for thought :cool:

[Senexis]

Congratulations Fearless and Mrs F, and may I say Mrs F is looking fabulous.

Let me know if you need any cooking or cleaning done once baby's here, and I'll send WAS over. Otherwise we'll keep out of your hair!

;)

[Fearless]

Congratulations Fearless and Mrs F, and may I say Mrs F is looking fabulous. (edit: what the?)

Let me know if you need any cooking or cleaning done once baby's here, and I'll send WAS over. Otherwise we'll keep out of your hair!

;)

Arg, people are playing with my brain cells! :eek:

Do you change nappies? :p

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Fear not - I've never had a baby before, but I do have a younger brother. Let me tell you they are cute from ages 0-1 and then things REALLY start to get weird. Hope that makes you feel better.

[Fearless]

Hope that makes you feel better.
I'll get back to you on that.

[wolty]

Mate, all I would say is enjoy every single moment, the sleepless nights, the poo everywhere, the trashed house.

Seriously, I know we talked about this before. My youngest is turning 17 next month. I would give anything to re-live those younger years again. They are times to be cherished and loved, every single one of them. Both the good and the bad because once they are gone, they are gone. The milestones that occur, you will always remember and have with you for the rest of your life.

Getting soppy after 7 beers.

I know everyone says to enjoy them, but it is so true.

[Fearless]

Thanks Wolty, I promise your words will resonate with me when it all happens :)

[Loki]

Anyhow, you have much bigger things you need to be concerning yourself with just now than names, I'll say it slow;

T-R-A-I-N S-E-T.

[wolty]

Anyhow, you have much bigger things you need to be concerning yourself with just now than names, I'll say it slow;

T-R-A-I-N S-E-T.

Oh fuck yeah. That is so very true, Loki.

Soooo jealous.

[Fearless]

Anyhow, you have much bigger things you need to be concerning yourself with just now than names, I'll say it slow;

T-R-A-I-N S-E-T.

Ha!

Funny you should mention this and my wife is not going to believe it... she has wanted a train set her whole life it seems.

She just split her lip when I told her.

I think you might be on to something.... I might see about a Maclolmesque style train system... can't seem to find any reference on You Tube (from the Australian Movie)

[Fearless]

Oh, tell a lie

XlaA_TPMXqY

[nettybetty]

I'm a female and I was the proud owner of a trainset as a child - best thing ever! That and of course - LEGO.

I have a spare area on my upstairs landing, which may just yet turn into a lego space! In some ways I look forward to possibly have a child in the future, not only for the joy of poop, no sleep, vomit on the shirt but also for the toys you get to play with in guise of being a parent.

All the best - seems there something in the water at the moment as many people I know are expecting!

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

It may turn out to be like me. Whenever I had a toy with something electrical in it, I would pull it apart and salvage the components to play around with.

I never had a train set - but I did have one of those cars where you used to build the track up by sliding translucent plastic connectors into them and then slide the car down it.

The best part is that I could take multiple such toys and turn it into something new. This I have been doing since around 5ish - ie. only months after my first own words. So I was told of course.

[Fearless]

All the best - seems there something in the water at the moment as many people I know are expecting!

Ha a good chunk of our friends are too!

[Xeno]

Let me tell you they are cute from ages 0-1 and then things REALLY start to get weird.Xenia and I did not see it that way. Neither of us thought much of the supposed "ain't it cute" stage and we agree that the older they get, the better they get, especially from the time they can talk and understand you. They do more, interact more and they're wonderful, right through to adults.*

The hard part is the long slow process of letting go without losing touch, but if the early years worked well then the relationship stays strong. Ours are mid-twenties.


* Consumer note: I said nothing about low stress.

[riddlemethis]

They are always cute. . .well kinda. More to the point, the baby part is easy, less complicated, but won't feel like it at the time. Each stage has layers of complexity built upon the last and as Xeno said, the glacial pace (so it seems when you're in it) is challenging. It's also very high stress because it's high dependency and intrudes on our ego- boundaries to a very uncomfortable extent over a long period of time. That and sleep deprivation! Still it's a journey I'd not trade for anything else. Once you've got 'em you'll always want them.

[Senexis]

Arg, people are playing with my brain cells! :eek:

Do you change nappies? :p

Every damn day.

[riddlemethis]

Every damn day.
Sometimes twice even!


LOL

[senectus]

Xenia and I did not see it that way. Neither of us thought much of the supposed "ain't it cute" stage and we agree that the older they get, the better they get, especially from the time they can talk and understand you. They do more, interact more and they're wonderful, right through to adults.*

The hard part is the long slow process of letting go without losing touch, but if the early years worked well then the relationship stays strong. Ours are mid-twenties.


* Consumer note: I said nothing about low stress.
Oh yes, I agree 100%

the older my 2yr old gets the more fun he is.
My 9 wk old is not much fun, just a lot of work :-P

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

I suppose it is an individuality thing. Some are born to be good parents, so it would seem to me.

senectus - wait till it becomes >5 years old. ;)

[Dixie Chick]

Boy or girl? Can we help suggest names??? :) How about Dixie??

[Logic please]

Boy or girl? Can we help suggest names??? :) How about Dixie??

Hi Dixie, to find your answer, check out post #28 (http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showpost.php?p=121031&postcount=28), and look "in the gaps"....

Doesn't that sound like "god of the gaps"... :rolleyes: oh well, there you go.... ;):D

Fearless will have to answer himself, for naming :D

[senectus]

you must be getting close now :) Howsit going?

[Aldaron]

Congratulations! :)

Yes, it will be hard. Yes, you will go for long periods with bugger-all sleep. Yes, there will be tears. Yes, there will be arguments with your offspring.

And you will have a small person, whose mind is his or her own, but which you will influence. And he or she will be frightened by something, and will see you and you will hug him or her and he or she will calm down and stop crying because you're there. There's not a feeling like it in the world.

Don't let anyone tell you it's not worth it.

As Obi-Wan once said: "You've taken your first step into a larger universe." :)

[Fearless]

you must be getting close now :) Howsit going?
Yes only about 5 to 6 weeks to go!:eek: Time is flying past now.
My wife developed gestational diabetes unfortunately so that has been a little challenge to manage. It has resulted in the baby being a little big which mean the due date will most likely be brought forward a few weeks. Everything is under control and as far as we know everything else is well.
I don't think it has sunk in yet and it will probably hit me at the hospital. It feels like it is happening to someone else.

Congratulations! :)

Yes, it will be hard. Yes, you will go for long periods with bugger-all sleep. Yes, there will be tears. Yes, there will be arguments with your offspring.

And you will have a small person, whose mind is his or her own, but which you will influence. And he or she will be frightened by something, and will see you and you will hug him or her and he or she will calm down and stop crying because you're there. There's not a feeling like it in the world.

Don't let anyone tell you it's not worth it.

As Obi-Wan once said: "You've taken your first step into a larger universe." :)
Thank you. A nice little insight into new parenthood :)

We have been reading books and watching videos like crazy but I am hoping to rely a bit on instinct to kick in and take any fears or concerns we might have away.

Thanks for your thoughts at this time.

Nerves are starting to kick in. ;)

[66 vegie]

Have no expectation's on how thing's will go and you'll be fine. Being a new parent is like walking blind fold through a maze at times..but remember if they make it to their 21st birthday with minimal damage..then you guy's have done a wonderful job.:D

[deesl4e]

Don't worry about it fearless. You still have a good 13 years up your sleeve until the child becomes a teenager. Then things realy start to get rough.

[simonecuttlefish]

It's always the same isn't it ... I've seen my friends go through this a couple of times (each with their first baby that is). The guy gets more and more panicky and .. "what am I guuna DOey!!!111!" the closer day. It's like a roller coaster, slowly grinding it's way up higher and higher from what I've observed. When the baby is born, you start rolling down the other side, faster and faster, and simply don't have time for any more of that silly crap anymore. Anyway, your brain will physically alter to force you into fatherhood eventually, and your testosterone level will drop, so there's something to look forward to. It will make the total exhaustion easier to live with :) And soon enough, you will look at this little human and realise, for no reason at all, you are welling up inside with emotions so powerful you can't even explain it to your best mates.

You'll love it. You have no choice.
http://www.centrostudi-ancoragenitori.it/psicologia-forense/fatherhood-changes-the-brain.html

[Praxis]

Very exciting Fearless! 66Vegie has beaten me to it though - I was going to say that the best plan to have is no plan.

All the planning in the world tends to go out the door once it's actually happening. Midwives and nursing staff actually laugh (kindly of course) at birthing plans (the type where all the music is selected, soft lighting will be had, massage oils etc - all set out nice and clearly) because it's very rare that it goes like that.

It will happen as it happens but regardless, your little person will be at the end of it and that's the only outcome that counts.

I have one good tip for you though. Ready?

DON'T MAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS DURING LABOUR. None. Agree with everything and do everything asked of you without question. And if it's long and protracted, don't even consider whingeing (or even commenting aloud) that you are hungry, tired or could do with 'a bit of a break'. Trust me on this. Just...don't ;)

All will be well. Can't wait for the first pics! Of course you will give us an update from your phone :D

Just think, this is the last Christmas where it's just you two!!

[Xeno]

DON'T MAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS DURING LABOUR. None. Agree with everything and do everything asked of you without question. And if it's long and protracted, don't even consider whingeing (or even commenting aloud) that you are hungry, tired or could do with 'a bit of a break'. Trust me on this. Just...don't ;)On a wry note with regard to this comment, don't get too, literally, sympathetic. I recall during the birth of our first child suddenly thinking, "Hang on, why am I feeling dizzy?". You are not actually doing anything physical, and helping along by matching breathing patterns means hyperventilation :rolleyes:

[Fearless]

Ha ha, thanks Praxis. My wife and I happened to watch a series on SBS called 'One born every minute' http://lifebegins.channel4.com/

There was plenty of reality in that show I must say :p

They paid considerable attention to the fathers also in the editing (to a point of it being almost comedy like). Might have been a little bit more than we really needed to know but the end result was always pretty much the same ;)

[simonecuttlefish]

On a wry note with regard to this comment, don't get too, literally, sympathetic.
I hope this doesn't extend to defecation during labor! That's probably a topic to stay well clear of as well.

[Fearless]

I hope this doesn't extend to defecation during labor! That's probably a topic to stay well clear of as well.
I know my wife will be paranoid about these things right up until the event I'm thinking... especially if she gets teh drugs.

Talking of defecation, you know how people have lots of 'helpful' advice and stories when you are expecting; well the other day a friend explained how she had to have an emergency c-section, baby came out bum first and managed to do a 'number 3' on the way out. Pleasant story.

Hrmm I might wait a minute before finishing my breakfast.

[Praxis]

I know my wife will be paranoid about these things right up until the event I'm thinking... especially if she gets teh drugs.

Talking of defecation, you know how people have lots of 'helpful' advice and stories when you are expecting; well the other day a friend explained how she had to have an emergency c-section, baby came out bum first and managed to do a 'number 3' on the way out. Pleasant story.

Hrmm I might wait a minute before finishing my breakfast.
Better get used to it mate - poo and vomit are soon to become the #1 topics of your life :D

Mrs Fearless can have an enema beforehand if she asks for one. The other thing they never tell you about is the vomiting. I vommed copiously many times during my labour - all over my (now ex) husband at one stage and also on my mother. Got to the stage where they wouldn't sit with me (hold my hand! - you do it, no! you do it, I did it before, no, it's your turn!).

[simonecuttlefish]

Better get used to it mate - poo and vomit are soon to become the #1 topics of your life :D.....
I have a mate that had two kids in two years. I caught up with him and he described it as "the year of poo".

So getting covered in shit and vomit, and if it's a boy, copping the odd face full of piss at change time will have it's eventual rewards. Usually that sort of thing only comes on video, and you are left wondering what the translation of "Ohhh Jaaaaa, Ohhh Jaaaa, OHHH JAAAAAAA" means.

One new mother once told me (quietly in confidence) that, "you tell everyone it's different when they are your babies, but it isn't". Knowing how hard her husband use to (not now) drink, I'm sure she got heaps of practice cleaning up after a naked lump of human that can't get off the floor before the baby arrived :)

[Fearless]

Just a quick update...

What my wife thought was kicking a few days ago ended up being something quite different... we aren't in panic mode yet but we have been told it could happen over the next 48 hours... if not, it will definitely happen on Tuesday.

So you might see me a little scarce for the first week... (maybe)

I could be running on caffeine...

I could also be a bit delusional.

Nervous?... umm a little bit ;)

[Praxis]

She was experiencing Braxton hicks?

All very exciting Fearless. I assume the nursery is all ready, nappies lined up, ready for action, lots of tiny Bond's gro-suits, and a year's supply of Napisan :D

Can't wait to hear the news, whenever it comes. And the pics!

[Fearless]

She was experiencing Braxton hicks?
A few people asked me this already and I am not really sure... from what I just read it is a little late into the pregnancy but hey, who knows, could be.

[Neospora]

Good luck to both you and Mrs Fearless! Get as much rest as you can between now and the moment, then you'll have no excuse to need 'a bit of a break' :p

[Mjt]

Fearless I am so happy for you, babies are wonderful. I had 4, but sorry not much advice to give except this. Once that little person gets here only3 things matter- mummy fearless, daddy fearless and baby fearless. Because you are a family. And you cuddle that little person as much as you want, whenever you want. Babies are for cuddling (new mummys however sometimes are not. Don't be offended it's not personal) Oh and people dishing out advice willy nilly are often best ignored, so feel free, after all it's YOUR baby.you are gonna love it. Pay special attention to the little ears they are to die for!

[Praxis]

Fearless I am so happy for you, babies are wonderful. I had 4, but sorry not much advice to give except this. Once that little person gets here only3 things matter- mummy fearless, daddy fearless and baby fearless. Because you are a family. And you cuddle that little person as much as you want, whenever you want. Babies are for cuddling (new mummys however sometimes are not. Don't be offended it's not personal) Oh and people dishing out advice willy nilly are often best ignored, so feel free, after all it's YOUR baby.you are gonna love it. Pay special attention to the little ears they are to die for!
Yay for this post!!! :D

[Neospora]

I agree with Praxis! (why is there no cheering smiley?)
There is, and will be, untold tidbits of advice thrust upon you, asked for or not. My own advice (:p) is to listen, nod and smile to the giver. Think serene, calm thoughts and allow the woo to wash over you. Arguing your point may require more mental energy than you possess at the time. Stick a sheet of paper on the back of the bedroom door and note down anything that sounds worth a go, and mentally discard the crap. If you find yourself pacing the halls at 3am with an unsettled baby on your shoulder, you'll have a nice repository of potentially helpful ideas right where you need it. At the top of mine was "happy mother, happy baby" - which can be applied to everything from sleeping arrangements, to feeding method and frequency, to childcare and whatever else. Fearless, part of your job is to help with the happy mother bit ;)

[cyclist]

I saw someone with a toddler this morning who was probably trying to get him to settle down, but it was at about 6am in the morning.

I gave her a nod on my way past on the bike.

Best of luck Fearless.

James

[Mjt]

[quote=Neospora;161575]I agree with Praxis! (why is there no cheering smiley?)
Stupid iPhone. Tried to scroll and hit submit by mistake. So here it is now:) Good luck Fearless:)

[Fearless]

Thank you very much for the kind words and advice... I will take it on board. I'd like to think that everything will click into place once the baby is here.

We have pretty much made it through the 48 hours now from when we were told it may be happening so if nothing else happens now it will be Tuesday I guess (11.1.11 :cool:)

Thanks again :)

[simonecuttlefish]

RELAX! Jeeez! I've been to a few births, even as a boy. One was taking far too long so we tied a rope to the babies feet, and the other end to a winch attached to the tractor. It all went fine, just winch it out slow and steady. Tell her not to drop right in the middle of a paddock, late and night and in rain though.

[Darwinsbulldog]

AH! Stumbled into a baby thread! :eek::eek:
They all look like termites or mealworms, IMHO. [Ooops, sorry, nice little baby!]

:p:p:p

[Onlyatheory?]

AH! Stumbled into a baby thread! :eek::eek:
They all look like termites or mealworms, IMHO. [Ooops, sorry, nice little baby!]

:p:p:p


Haha. Don't apologise. I even described by second-born as a prune that could shit and spew.......and ordinarily I'm so touchy feely:rolleyes:

Don't think that I have wished you luck yet, Fearless.....sooooooo Good Luck!!

Won't give any advise except for this.....be prepared to do a lot of night driving as that was the only thing that would settle my kids in the wee hours........offering to do this for Mrs Fearless so she can catch some shut-eye will go a long way........Secondly, for the foreseeable future, boobies are for babies;)

Hope all goes well, mate!

[Praxis]

Thank you very much for the kind words and advice... I will take it on board. I'd like to think that everything will click into place once the baby is here.
It won't. Confusion will reign supreme but you'll all bumble through it :)

it will be Tuesday I guess (11.1.11 :cool:) When I was deep into teh woo, the significance of "11.11" was all around me. I can't even remember now what it was supposed to mean but have some vague recollection of "more evolved" types being able to see 'clues' better than others or knowing you were on the right track, or some such bullshite (what a shameful admission :o ). I think it's got something to do with the whole Mayan thing? A birth date like that would have Mayan calendarites all terribly excited.

*I just checked and hilariously, this site http://globalpsychics.com/enlightening-you/numerology/1111.shtml claims, without a trace of irony:

For many years the numbers 11:11 have been mysteriously appearing to people all over the world. Often appearing on digital clocks...
ZOMG they're right! I see 11:11 on our digital clocks twice every day - for YEARS!

AH! Stumbled into a baby thread! :eek::eek:
They all look like termites or mealworms, IMHO.
They don't. They all look like Winston Churchill :p

[Logic please]

Goods luck Fearless.. :)

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

only <1 months to go now I guess. For this life-deprived reptile - tell that wife of yours how much you love her. :)

[Mjt]

Hi Fearless, good luck:D best wishes to Mrs Fearless:)

[Fearless]

Thanks again. At hospital now... Just waiting game ;)

[wolty]

Oooooo, exciting. :)

We wish you well F and family.

[Praxis]

Thanks again. At hospital now... Just waiting game ;)
WOOOHOOO!!! Am in dire need of some good news right now.

Now, remember your priorities. Post pics here before anywhere else :D ;)

Good luck Mrs Fearless!!!

[davo]

All the best guys!!!

[rosiemacduck]

What a wonderful time for you! I wish you both (& little Fearless) all the best.

[Onlyatheory?]

Woohoo!! Good luck to soon to be family fearless.

[Fearless]

Our little boy arrived 4.25kg (9.34 pounds) and 51cm long. All went relatively well and mum is also ok. 3 hour induced labour! They expected 8 hours. Not even enough time for pain meds :o

After a good long feed he is now fast asleep :)

I can't seem to be able to upload any photos on this phone (iPhone 4) as they are too big but I will post one when I can.

Many thanks for all the kind comments.

Would I seem biased if I said he was the best looking bub in the ward? :p

[wolty]

Yayyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats mate. Very exciting. :)

Doesn't sound very little though. :)

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Fearless: I would not be surprised if it looked better than my (<1 week old) anonymous-not-for-much-longer nephew. He looked like an alien and I still find it really easy to blame it on the poor camera technique of the operator of mobile which took the picture, and it wasn't me.

His head resembles the top half of a tantalum capacitor (100x magnification) looking at it sideways.

You two three enjoy yourselves now. :)

[riddlemethis]

Huzzah Fearless! Congrats to you all. Tell Mrs Fearless well bloody done girl & welcome to the club from me! That's a gutsy effort first time around - v.quick labours are v.painful too. So happy for you. M

[Mjt]

Congratulations sounds like mrs fearless did an awsome job. So happy it all went well. Time now to enjoy:D

[cyclist]

I'll add my congratulations in as well. As a parent, isn't it your right to state that your child is the best looking etc?

James

[Atrax Robustus]

Congratulations to Mrs Fearless for a job done well!

You too Fearless - you did have a small part in it, after all. :D

A little boy. Fishin', foody n fun! :)

[Praxis]

9.4 lb? What a whopper :eek:

Bloody well done to Mrs Fearless. And quick too! Awesomeness.

Pics! Pics! Pics!!!

And of course he's the best looking bubba on the ward. Heck, he's the best looking bubba in the WORLD right now :D *grinning inanely as I love babies*

Name? Baby Fearless probably won't go down too well on the birth certificate.

WOOHOO this is exciting!!! Congratulations!

[Onlyatheory?]

A big congrat's from my canoe in freaky town. Well done to you both.

[Goldenmane]

Congrats to the Fearlesses.

[TimB]

Hey Fearless - a very big congratulations to you, Mrs Fearless and baby Fearless.

Shit a 3 hour labour - if I was female I'd be crossing my legs right now!!

[Worldslaziestbusker]

Great news, Fearless. Congratulations.

[Sieveboy]

Congratulations to all three of you!

[robertkd]

Oh yeah a big congrats mr and mrs Fearless,..

[davo]

Whoa! A miracle!

;)

Take care you both .. um THREE :) congratulations mate :)

[Neospora]

Congratulations to the Fearless family! :D

Welcome to the world little one, of course you are the best-lookin bub on the planet right now!

Well done to Mrs Fearless, that's a pretty huge effort all round. Geez, I hope you got gas at least :eek: Take care of yourself!

[Fearless]

He he, thanks... nope, no gas either. It was all a little too late in the end. They used Oxytocin to induce and one whiff and he wanted out. Normally it is a process of about 8 hours but once they cranked it up to 80mg he was on the way.

My wife was amazing considering we were constantly hearing screams coming from all other directions she battled through it like a trooper.

Unfortunately she had a bit of a bleed that was a bit bad and lost a fair bit so she couldn't get up without feeling like she was going to pass out. I was meant to stay there over night in a double bed but they said it was too risky and sent me home (in case they had to whisk her bed out). Upset her a bit (teary, not angry) so I pushed my welcome as late as I could.

Just having some breakfast and i'll head back :)

Mum is already saying that the pain was worth the reward :)

[wolty]

Onya mate. Very happy for you.

[Annie]

Very happy for you Fearless. This is a time you'll never forget. Enjoy your family. :)

[senectus]

Nice work matey :-)

Dont forget around day 3-4 she'll get real emotional and be confused about it... big hormone rush that triggers her milk coming in.

Apart from that it's now fun time!

[Logic]

Congrats :)

[Mjt]

Hello Fearless family, hope everything is going well, and you are totally enjoying yourselves. Don't forget to check out those little ears, just amazing.:)

[riddlemethis]

ahem! pics or it didn't happen! We need some cheering up Fearless.

[Praxis]

Yes! We want to see Binary Boy :D 110111

[Logic please]

Hey, congratulations to the Fearlesses, on the safe arrival of the newest member of the Fearless family... Fearless Jr! ;):D

Awesome news mate, congrats :)

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Yes! We want to see Binary Boy :D 110111+100

I wouldn't mind seeing him too.

And now, at No. 0 Hard Drive, a new superhero is born; he wears a cape with ones and zeros, and his underpants on the outside. It's a bird... it's a plane... no, It's BINARY BOY!

[Lord Blackadder]

Huzzah! Another being of reason is born into the world!

Congratulations, Fearless and family! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/aktion/action-smiley-033.gif

[Fearless]

Will be heading back home tonight. Will upload a pic or three then.

A few people have said he is perfect. I was already biased but I guess this verifies it!

;)

[wolty]

wow.. all the best Fearless.. you know it works now :)

Hehehehe.

No pressure but we need pics to make us feel better. :)

[Deanus-Maximus]

For a lack of anything else to say atm - Congrats Fearless. Enjoy the ride :D

[Praxis]

Am I the only one enjoying watching the thread title in the forum list? It keeps changing.

I've seen it say: "I'm pregnant! by LordBlackadder' and "I'm pregnant!" by Deanus-Maximus, etc etc and so forth.

Makes me laugh :D

Just me?

[Deanus-Maximus]

Am I the only one enjoying watching the thread title in the forum list? It keeps changing.

I've seen it say: "I'm pregnant! by LordBlackadder' and "I'm pregnant!" by Deanus-Maximus, etc etc and so forth.

Makes me laugh :D

Just me?
Anything I have to say about me giving birth would be totally inappropriate for this thread... :cool:

[Lord Blackadder]

Am I the only one enjoying watching the thread title in the forum list? It keeps changing.

I've seen it say: "I'm pregnant! by LordBlackadder' and "I'm pregnant!" by Deanus-Maximus, etc etc and so forth.

Makes me laugh :D

Just me?

If I became pregnant and gave birth, I'd be starting my own religion...

Just sayin'... ;)

[Fearless]

As promised ;)

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8223/wjk4873.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8761/wjk4896.jpg

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

The bottom image... just give him a guitar and he'll be famous. :p
Now I just gotta make sure I don't stare at the pics for six hours. ;)

[Fearless]

The bottom image... just give him a guitar and he'll be famous. :p
Now I just gotta make sure I don't stare at the pics for six hours. ;)
As long as you don't ask for any fava beans and a nice chianti!

I've heard about you atheist types :p

[riddlemethis]

As promised ;)

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8223/wjk4873.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8761/wjk4896.jpg

Awwww, he is diiiiivine! I love me a fair bonny baby & just look at that lovely boobie feeding underbite. I can smell his baby deliciousness from here. Well done you guys!

What a shame they grow up, I'd have 10 otherwise!

[Praxis]

SO glad this is the first thread I opened today :D

He's DELICIOUS! Like RMT, I can practically smell that gorgeous baby smell.

AWWWWWWWWWW...he's fantastic. And a decent size too!

They'll be coming home today or tomorrow yes? Hope you're ready ;)

[Neospora]

Nope, you're not at all biased Fearless, he most definitely *is* a great-looking bub. The express exit definitely helps, no time to get all cone-shaped and schmooshed up :p And his skin is all smooth and blotch-free, quick! sign him up for a Huggies ad contract! :D

Thanks so much for the pics, nice to see something positive today. Only if things are going well at the hospital, and Mrs Fearless is not desperate to get home, can you ask them to stay another day? Depending on the setup, she may be able to get a good rest with help from the staff, post-partum haemorrhage is very draining, for obvious reasons!

[BlueDevil]

Great photos...a lovely looking baby! :)



What a shame they grow up, I'd have 10 otherwise!

I'm glad they do grow up - otherwise I would still be changing nappies after 17 years!!!! :eek:

[davo]

Congrats fearless what a bub :)

[simonecuttlefish]

Gorgeous :)

[Mjt]

You were right he's a knock out! Just perfect. Thank you for letting us see him.:)

[wolty]

Thanks for the pics F. Loved them.

[davo]

Don't worry about the horns Fearless .. they come a bit later ;)

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

As long as you don't ask for any fava beans and a nice chianti!

I've heard about you atheist types :pYou can call him "Johnny" and someday he will be a man, and he will be the leader of a big ole band. Many people commin' from miles around. They'll hear him playin' music till the sun go down. Maybe some day his name will be in lights saying "Johnny B. Goode" tonight.

[Mjt]

Hi fearless family hope the feeding and sleeping are going well and mum is feeling better. Don't forget babies are just like September, prone to being a bit wet and windy. It will pass like the seasons

[Deanus-Maximus]

Thanks for posting pix. Gorgeous lol bub, hope you're all sleeping well.

[Neospora]

Just checking in to say that I hope things are going smoothly?
It's great to be blissfully buried in new baby family stuff, not so great if it's proving to be, erm, challenging :confused:

[Logic]

He's wonderful!

[Loki]

Bugger, I missed it.

Hooray

Hope all are well.

[Annie]

Bugger, I missed it.
Self Self Self Loki. While we were posting congrats to fearless, you were selfishly swimming around in your house trying to save everything your family owned. How very dare you. :-)

[senectus]

You're what, a month into it now?
Bet you're both feeling mighty tired right now :-)

Good news is.. they start sleeping through at around 6-8 weeks :-)

[Deanus-Maximus]

You're what, a month into it now?
Bet you're both feeling mighty tired right now :-)

Good news is.. they start sleeping through at around 6-8 weeks :-)
Can vouch for that. Our 4 month old has been sleeping through fairly consistntly for near 2 months now.

[Fearless]

Hello! Bumpity bump.

I let the cat out of the bag in another thread (sorry for the slight de-rail) by mentioning that we are expecting another baby again! Thanks to those who congratulated me (us) :)

So soon since the first?! Yep, it will be a 14 month gap between them, but it's what we planned. Growing up together, having the same sorts of toys, friends etc. Also that it allows my wife to get back into her career sooner hopefully (for her).

We are still so tied up in our first child this one doesn't quite feel so real right now, but it certainly won't be discounted! Next scan will probably make things that much more real for us.

Life won't be quite the same ha ha.

My grey hair might just multiply as a result. I can't get away with saying it's a brighter shade of blonde anymore :D

Thanks again!

[wolty]

Yay F. Hope all goes well.

[gruber]

Iam pregnant :eek: when were you going to tell me this :D

[Fearless]

Iam pregnant :eek: when were you going to tell me this :D

Ha umm yeah, I was going to let you in on it eventually :o

[Sieveboy]

Congrats Fearless and family

[dilbadoon]

Congrats Fearless, and good luck!

[Perspective]

Hey Fearless - congrats buddy :) You sure are living up to your name with that age gap between kids though!

[two dogs]

Congratulations Fearless, to you and your family.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Hello! Bumpity bump.

I let the cat out of the bag in another thread (sorry for the slight de-rail) by mentioning that we are expecting another baby again! Thanks to those who congratulated me (us) :)

So soon since the first?! Yep, it will be a 14 month gap between them, but it's what we planned. Growing up together, having the same sorts of toys, friends etc. Also that it allows my wife to get back into her career sooner hopefully (for her).

We are still so tied up in our first child this one doesn't quite feel so real right now, but it certainly won't be discounted! Next scan will probably make things that much more real for us.

Life won't be quite the same ha ha.This is gonna be fun. :)

My grey hair might just multiply as a result. I can't get away with saying it's a brighter shade of blonde anymore :D

Thanks again!But you can get away with saying that you are a great fan of hydrogen peroxide.

[4lan]

Hello! Bumpity bump.
<snip>
Thanks again!

Congratulations, best wishes etc.

4lan

[Bolero]

Congrats, Fearless! Loverly news. :)

Aw, it's making me all reminiscey about babies... sure I'll snap out of it any minute. :D

[senectus]

Hey congrats!

We have about 2years diff between the two of ours (older boy, younger girl), and they absolutely dote on each other...

I imagine 14 months should be about the same as well... so good luck!

(ps, if you haven't started already I would advise to start toilet training ASAP... you REALLY don't want to be changing nappies for two kids or having toilet training accidents when you have a very young one around!)

[Deanus-Maximus]

Congrats Fearless. Can't say much else, has already been said above :)

[Logic please]

A late congrats from me also, Fearless. Great news. :)

[Closet Atheist]

Congratulations- all I have to say.

[Fearless]

Why thank you!... next Tuesday we find out the gender :D

Half way there!

[senectus]

Why thank you!... next Tuesday we find out the gender :D

Half way there!

So should we start a pool? ;-)

I'm going for Girl!

[Fearless]

So should we start a pool? ;-)

I'm going for Girl!

Maybe you should have started one ;)

90% confirmed today! Happy parents are we.

[wolty]

Maybe you should have started one ;)

90% confirmed today! Happy parents are we.


Really? Awesome. :)

[Praxis]

Princess Fearless! That's great news :D

[Loki]

Woot!

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Maybe you should have started one ;)

90% confirmed today! Happy parents are we.As an idea for a name see how Zelda Williams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelda_Williams) got her name.

[senectus]

Sweet!

That makes a pigeon pair just like us :-)
We have a 3.5 yr old boy and a 1.5 yr old girl. Its a great combo, and great age bracket.