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So far, the most important breathing techniques I've learned are 1) the one you should do at the peak of a contraction: two quick breaths in through your nose followed by two quick breaths out from your mouth repeat 3-5 times at each peak and 2) cleansing breath as the contraction is starting and at the end--a very deep breath through your nose that goes all the way down to your belly followed by a slow and complete exhale through your mouth. Don't know if I'll actually remember to breath this way during a contraction so I might have to write it down on something and bring to the hospital and case both dh and I forget (ha ha)--as if we'd actually remember to bring out notes. The rest is psychological stuff about envisioning yourself in a comfortable place to relax and stuff like that--I wonder if anybody actually does that?!?? (like I'm going to ignore my feelings of pain while I think of myself sitting on the sand on a beach--I'll try but. . .) Also for all other breathing place your tongue at the roof of your mouth as you inhale or else your throat will dry out.

Perl - Thank you for the tips!!! I would have NEVER thought of the tongue idea...makes sense!! I've tried to figure out a place or thing to focus on and can't really figure out what that would be!

I sure would like to hear from SANN!!

Yes, me too! It's been more than two weeks since hearing anything from Sann. Now I'm worried. SANN???

Sorry to bust in on your thread but I've been following it just in case Sann checks in and I'm also really worried about her. She got her BFP just before me so I feel a connection with her in that sense even though I don't know her as well as you do. I know she waited a long time for this pregnancy and that her history is the reason for putting her on bedrest. However, it seems rather severe that she hasn't been in contact for so long - it's not like her is it? She's normally very chatty. I hope she gets in touch soon and let's us know how she's getting on. Much love to her if she's reading this.

Jump on in hopeful! :-) Sounds like things are going good for you?

Thanks for the welcome tryingx3. Yes, I think things are going according to plan. Boobs are sore and stomach is like Mount Vesuvius most of the time which means I feel hungry but don't want to eat anything and then when I do I either feel better or uncomfortably full (doesn't seem to relate to how much I eat or anything!!LOL!!) Other than that, a bit emotional and mostly exhausted but that might be because I haven't had a decent sleep for the last two nights - keep waking up every hour or so. Not to pee necessarily but sometimes coz tummy is rumbling or I'm just really restless. What a load of complaining!! LOL! Actually I'd rather have the symptoms than not have them to be honest as it rea__sures me that things are still happening in there - especially as I'm on the 3ww til my next appointment so I really need that rea__surance as much as possible. You must be really near time now aren't you? Good luck!! and of course to Perl too - I laughed at your comment about doing a happy dance when I reach the end of 13 weeks. You're so right! I really will and I can't wait to announce officially - I'll be bursting until then! Speak to you soon.

Hopeful - yes I remember missing the symptoms - mine pretty much disappeared around wk 12, but not too long after that my pooch started growing! :-) I am down to 12 days to due date. I think I will be given option to induce on 9/25 if things are favorable, but I think I'll wait to make that decision when I get closer to time. And yes...I can still get to the steering wheel! I measured 46" AROUND 2 wks ago! Isn't that a funny stat? Yow!!

You're right Hopeful, this is not at all like Sann. And you are very welcome here any time---after all, each of us has awaited a pregnancy with high hopes and anxiety after disappointment(s) or loss so we truly do understand each other and can share the deep joy each one of us is now feeling upon being pregnant again. About those symptoms. . .the way you describe them is right on, exactly the way I felt, I used to call them fake hunger pangs but I'd get up and eat a cheese stick or drink a gla__s of milk--it was annoying but you're right, it was a welcome symptom. The stomach pangs and sleepiness went away for me at 14-15 weeks---another reason to look forward to the 2nd trimester. : ) Omigosh Trying, only 12 more days!!!! How do you feel-emotionally and physically? Are you more than ready to go or are you nervous or calm? I hope you continue to fill us in day by day (or often as you want) on your symptoms so we/I can share in the excitement with you! BTW, 46" around, huh? I haven't measured in weeks but I"m sure that I'm about 42" (my husband's boxer size is 40-42 and they fit me!) and I still have 10 weeks to go. At this rate I easily could be upwards of 50" (ha ha), unless baby is done with his growth spurt, who knows. Why will you have the option to induce on your due date? Is that standard in your area?? My OB said she would induce (no option) if I don't go into labor by my 42nd week but not before then.

Perl and Tryingx3 - Thanks both of you for the rea__surance about my type of morning sickness. I was beginning to wonder if it really was m/s as my mum had the throwing up kind and I a__sumed it would be the same with me. Not at all - in fact, today has been particularly grim. Breakfast consisted of a miniture bowl of muesli and one slice of toast and I felt like I'd eaten 100 Indians (takeaways not the people!! LOL!!!!!!) It was mighty uncomfortable so I went back to bed!! When I got up again I still felt pretty rough but thought a half hour walk in the fresh air might do the trick. No such luck. The first 15 mins were fine but then I came over all exhausted and faint with hunger. Lovely hubbie made me steamed carrots, peas and mashed potatoes (a favourite of mine - I'm a veggie!) and it went down a treat although I couldn't eat it all. Now, only 2 hours later I'm beginning to feel the same "fake hunger pangs" (REALLY good name for them - exactly the right description). If you have any suggestions I'd welcome them - I'm beginning to get fed up with feeling icky all the time! I've tried lying down, sitting up and walking about and all seem to help only briefly. Anyway, have to remember that it's all probably a good sign and that keeps me going. I just hope I don't have to wait until the 14th week for it to subside. Trying- can't believe you're nearly "there". I'm so excited for you.

Hopeful: I hope you don't have this icky feeling until your 14th week either. As you already pointed out, you can't help it with activity, rest or sitting. Activity will increase your energy level but not help your stomach much. It's all just hormonal imbalances that take a while to even out and the timing is different for all of us. Maybe you'll luck out and it will disappear very soon before your 12th week (let's hope). Mashed potatoes used to work wonders for me as well as far as settling my stomach. Did I understand correctly--are you vegetarian? So no dairy products for you? I was going to say that yogurt, a small gla__s of nonfat milk and cheesesticks as well as water crackers throughout the day were my best friends when I used to get sick. Pasta was also very helpful--are you still living in Italy, I"ll bet this should be no problem for you to find : ) But pasta with tomato sauce--not good because of acidity in tomatoes. My favorite dinner was any kind of pasta with olive oil, parsley and parmesan cheese. I hope you feel better sooner rather than later. ***Trying: How are you feeling? I got the measuring tape and measured around what used to be my waistline--42" yikes!! And 10 weeks to go still. Did you ever use a maternity or belly belt?? I'm getting so large and heavy and unfortunately although I have long legs, my torso is very short. I'm thinking of getting a belt for extra support and looking for a recommendation.

Hey Perl - thanks for the tips! Thankfully I'm not a vegan so dairy products are fine - the more the merrier in my opinion. So I tried your yoghurt idea today (with half a banana) and it did the trick and tasted GOOD. The thing I liked about it was the fact that it was "wet" (I seem to prefer that at the moment) and also quick and easy to prepare which is important as I'm find it really difficult to get enthusiastic (energetic!!) about preparing food. As a result my meals have become SUPER bland but thankfully I seem to really like just plain vegetables, steamed, so I'm not pa__sing out with hunger. LOL!! I know what you mean about pasta - I love it with cheese. I wish I was living in Italy - then, as you said, I'd have no trouble!! Anyway, thank you again. Today hasn't been nearly as bad as yesterday and I wish I could work out why but I'm hoping it will last. Better go now and get something to eat as those pangs are back again!!

Trying: I went to a maternity store yesterday and tried on a maternity belt. Aaaahhhh how good it felt as soon as I put it on so I bought the belt. It really holds up my lower belly firmly in place so it doesn't hurt so much when I walk anymore. It gives good back support too. Hopeful: Glad to hear the yogurt was a bit of relief. Going "super bland" is what is actually recommended at this time for you (for all of us actually, throughout pregnancy) so it's good that you already figured that out. A small taste of spicy foods and sauces are great every now and then but not really worth risking a bout of indigestion or acid reflux, right Trying? (I know this has been a problem for both of us). As for figuring out why you feel better . . . good luck, but I never could figure out why I felt like sleeping and getting sick one day and then felt pretty "normal" the next day. What I did do was take advantage of the good days and run errands or cook a ca__serole that would last for a few days so that when I went back to feeling sick at least I had accomplished something and had some food in the fridge to heat up and eat during my bad days. One of these days (hopefully soon), that normal and good energy feeling will stick and you'll be so happy to be more like your old self again. ***

Trying: Are you okay??? I know it's getting pretty close for you so naturally I'm wondering what's going on with you and your baby. : )

Here I am! She's here!!! We are home and doing great. Only concern is my b___stmilk is not in yet - 72 hours after delivery is normal arrival time - so anytime now! 7lbs, 14 oz, 19.5 inches...water started leaking Sun about 2:45 am...18 hours later!!...we had baby Katie! She is so precious and truly a gift from God. I just keep telling my husband I can't believe we get to "keep her"! She is perfect in everyway! Everyone says she has more hair than they have seen on a baby in a LONG LONG time! :-) I soooooo wish this for all of you guys. Still hopeful for SANN - will check back as time permits. First night home was ROUGH!! 2 hours of sleep...too many changes for little girl I guess!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! I got so excited reading your reply it gave me goosebumps! I suspected you were busy giving birth and you certainly did! I am so happy for you. Katie is a beautiful name. At 7 lbs 14 oz (very close to 8 pounds) sounds like Katie is a good, healthy sized baby. So 18 hours of labor?? How did it go--please share as much of your labor and delivery details as you're comfortable sharing, when/if you have time of course. I'm sure you'll be much much more busy now but I'll look forward to your updates whenever you're able to give them. I'm interested in hearing about your transition to motherhood with a newborn, b___stfeeding, etc. I had no idea that b___stmilk took 72 hours after delivery to come. I always a__sumed the milk would be flowing and ready when the baby came---shows you I still have some learning to do. : ) Try to rest as much as you can when you're not too busy loving on and enjoying holding and looking at your baby!!!!