Knicker Wars

I have decided to continue my cntrats and comparisons into my second pregnany.  Last time, nursing bras were put to the test.  This time around?  Underwear! 

The question for the pregnant larger lady is what underwear to don while heavily pregnant.  Will I be able to tolerate my granny panties rolling down under bump?  Will I be able to find a COMFORTABLE pair of pregnancy knickers in my size?  Or should I just buy underwear a few sizes larger and deal?

My goal is to help answer this question for my larger readers (and for those curious).  Keep an eye out here because Knicker Wars will begin soon!

Let the search begin!

I saw my doctor today who confirmed my pregnancy! She's saying I'm about 8 weeks pregnant and my due date is around January 21, 2012.  So, I'll probably be a little off of my goal of a baby girl by the end of the year... but I'll take a new baby in the new year! Of course, now comes the search for plus sized maternity knickers.  The ones at Motherhood were good but not great. But they're about all that's out there unfortunately.  I think I may have a "Battle of the Maternity Panties" this time around.  Any manufacturers out there...feel free to send me free samples! :)  Oh wait, there's NOT anything out there.  If I had the capital, I could make a KILLING in super plus size maternity underwear, bump supports and bras.  And probably pants too.  I have to admit I wasn't enamoured with my pregnancy pants last go around.  I found the seam between the elastic and the pant fabric dug under my belly...not so pleasant when you're skin is so hormone-induced sensitive!  Maybe I'll just live in leggings this winter. :)

Pitter Patter

Apparently my grandmother has been reading my blog.  Because of this, I think she has some incorrect information, which has encouraged me to finally write a new, though quick post.  Yes, grandma, I AM pregnant!  My best guess is about 6 weeks, which means I'll be due at the end of January.  I haven't seen the doctor yet, so I haven't gone public with the news.  But seeing as how dad told grandma who then said I wasn't (based on my LAST post), I thought I should set the record straight here.  I'll post the story soon!

Not the Next Best Thing

Well, after 15 days of waiting, wondering and peeing on sticks, we finally have an answer.  I am NOT pregnant.  I FINALLY got my period yesterday morning.  Why it took 15 days to arrive when it's usually pretty consistent, who's to say?  But at least now I know.... and now I can take proper drugs for my sickness, which came on Wednesday afternoon.  I went home early and just went to bed, pretty much for 2 1/2 days.  But Thursday night, Friday morning I was having lower back pains/belly cramps and wondered if it was finally coming...and it did. 
So no little baby for Jacob.... yet.  But at least I've started on my pregnancy vitamins, which I'll continue, and this'll give me a chance to actually go and get the rubella vaccination, which my blood results have been saying I need.  So I suppose this was a little wake up call for mama Jen to get her butt in gear so Grundie baba2 can finally come into the world. 
I'm finally rounding the bend and my fever is almost gone. I think we'll take Jake to Spraoi where he can run around and play and frolick while I drink a cup of tea.... with caffine.  :) 

HCG and Fat Pregnancy

So the question arises to me, does it take more HCG (the pregnancy hormone) coursing through a fat person's body to trigger a positive pregnancy result on a home test?  When I was pregnant with Jacob, it took 11 days after my missed period to get that freakin' plus sign.  And now I'm at 12 days and counting and still no plus sign.  It's pretty frustrating, especially since your skinny (who thinks she's fat but is NOWHERE near fat) friend finds out DAYS before missing her period that she's up the duff.  I did a search online but noone seems to have an answer.  The only thing I could find was people asking the same question, and a few people saying, 'no, it shouldn't make a difference.'  But I think it does.  And I'm curious who I could ask to find out.  Because if the answer REALLY is no, then what's wrong with ME?  So at the moment, for those of you out there crossing your fingers for me, it's a big "I dunno."  I won't say I'm not until I've started bleeding (crass, I know, but that's just me) and I won't say I am until I get a positive pee stick.  Do the limbo!!

Brilliant Article

Hi Everyone,  I just wanted to take a moment to share a fantastic article (albeit written by my husband) on our 'brother' blog, Gentastic.

10 Things I Have Learnt About Parenting that the ‘Experts’ Failed to Mention

Please take a moment to check it out.  I was very much amused.

 

The Next "Best Thing"?

Well, I'm not counting chickens or anything, but my last period started on Christmas Eve 2010.  28 days later is January 21st.  Today is January 23rd.  So, I'm still within my possible cycle.  This could be nothing... but I'm starting to get hungrier at night, I'm having little (minuscule really) moments of nausea, and yesterday when I stood up after going to the cinema, a little acid reflux went up my esophageous.  Oh, and I've been hornier (which could be a sign I'll be getting my period too).  So I've got some clues, but I'll wait another week before being certain.

There's no point in me taking a pregnancy test.  I don't know if any other very large women have the same issue, but I took a pregnancy test when I was pregnant with Jacob the day my period was due and it was negative.  The next week it was still negative.  Doctor's urine sample was negative too.  It wasn't until a further week that it came up positive.  So maybe my hormone levels need to be much higher as I'm that much bigger a woman?  Then I have a friend on her 3rd baby who's test came back positive DAYS after conceiving.  And she wouldn't be a stick figure, she's a healthy size 12-ish.  I WANT to take a test but I don't want to waste the money, you know?  Especially since my husband is now without a job, I'd rather save my money for when I've got a chance of having the most accurate result.  My GP just has me pee on a stick too, no blood tests for her, so there's no point in dropping €70 for what I can buy at a shop for a tenner.

So I suppose for now, I'll start my precautions-  no alcohol, less caffeine, multivitamins with folic acid (good idea anyways as I'd LIKE to have another baby in the near future) and continued focus on healthy eating.

My husband and I both agree that Jacob was the best thing that happened to us.  So now, I just wonder if we are awaiting our next best thing?