A girl or a boy??

Hi Charlotje, that's super nice that everything is going well and you've already had so many ultrasounds, sounds lovely, I think it's super cool too, but I still have to wait until June 24th indeed!! That feels like such a long time to me. And yes, I'm 6 weeks pregnant now. You're probably safe now with 12 weeks.. Can't go wrong anymore. That sounds nice too.. It's always a wait-and-see thing anyway. And already coming up with ideas for the nursery and names and stuff? And already been to a baby store? X

Hey Eline, it really does seem like it takes forever when you're waiting for your ultrasound.. and every time it's just as nerve-wracking for me
I had ultrasounds at 6+2, 10, 10+1 and today at 12+5 weeks, but every midwife is different of course.

Yes, reaching 12 weeks is really, really nice. Of course, you always have moments of uncertainty, but once you hit 12 weeks, it gets less and less, I think! But I guess that uncertainty always stays around a bit...

I'm thinking more and more each week about the nursery and the important things we need to buy!
I also find it really nice browsing online or in stores, especially now that we've reached 12 weeks.
It feels like 'it's allowed'.. weird, right? haha

After our ultrasound with the midwife, we drove straight to Ikea, because I had already seen some things on their website at reasonable prices yesterday, since we don't want to make everything too expensive. In the end, we came home with a crib, matching mattress, a large wardrobe, and a dresser! I'm really happy!
Before that, we had also been to a baby outlet and I had looked online more often for nursery ideas.

We actually chose names very early in the pregnancy and we're both really happy with them!
Do you/you guys already know the names? Nursery ideas? I'd love to share this with you

Hi Charlotte, yeah, every phase brings new uncertainties. But luckily, there are also a lot of things that are certain. Like, indeed, seeing a little beating heart. You really are lucky with so many ultrasounds; in my opinion, I don’t get that many with my partner... Hope I’m wrong about that, haha. It’s not weird that you waited until 12 weeks to buy things and stuff, it’s actually quite logical, right? Then you’ve reached a milestone. Soon I’ll also go to a baby store... But I won’t buy anything until around 12 weeks either. Oh, how nice that you’ve been so successful... It must look beautiful, especially once it’s fully set up in a while. Okay, cool, so IT already has a name, how nice. We also already have names, and we don’t really have plans for the baby room yet... But we do have some small, exploratory ideas. I also find it super nice to share this with you/you all... Just enjoy it, haha. Xx

Hi Eline,

First of all, thanks for your congratulations, hihi... yeah, we're super proud too!!
I've also had him kick me in the side sometimes... especially when I'm a bit busy or really need to pee...... and you too, congratulations on your pregnancy, I see you're now 6 weeks along.
It's all so exciting, isn't it... I felt the same, and after those 12 weeks, it gets better and better.
Stay safe and talk soon.

Best, Chantal

Hey Eline, yes I hope you can get multiple ultrasounds, it's so fun and the little one grows so fast and you see the changes every time!

It's nice that you're going to a baby store, always fun to look at things! Then you can get ideas and check everything out in advance. I can't wait until the baby's room is complete.
We're waiting a bit to put everything together because we want to lay another laminate floor.

Exciting that you already have names!
Tomorrow I'm going to make an appointment for a gender determination at a prenatal ultrasound office (yay!)

Hi Charlotje, I'll let you know as soon as I know how much I'm getting. Yeah, it's really bizarre when you see/feel what's going on in your belly, especially with an ultrasound, of course. I understand you can't wait until it's over.. Really so nice to make a cute little room for the little one.. But you'll have to be patient a bit longer, I guess.. Yeah, we're also already sniffing around for baby clothes, always fun. Oohhh, that's super EXCITING, girl.. You probably can't wait either, haha. I'm curious too about what you'll get.. Then you can buy pink or blue clothes and stuff, and you'll know which name it is from the two. Fun, fun, fun!!

Hey Eline, yes that's good! Really weird that there's now a baby of 6.34cm (according to the latest ultrasound) in my belly and I feel nothing! Sometimes I think I feel little pops, but that could also just be my intestines! Seems pretty fast to me to feel the little one already... Today exactly 13 weeks! Yes, nice to make/think up a nice room for your own baby!

Made an appointment for a gender determination!!!! In 3 weeks we can go there (June 28th)..
For 35 euros you can have it done here. Then you get 10 black/white photos on CD and a free 3D photo!
Once we know what the gender is, I'll tell you!
I want to tell my parents and brothers with a cake I think, and then pink or blue inside.
My boyfriend still doesn't know how he wants to tell his dad.

But how are you doing? How do you feel?
Have you already signed up to receive free pregnancy packages?
Do you like keeping a diary.. I have a pregnancy diary myself and find it very nice to fill in.
xxx

Hey Eline, I was more nauseous in the first weeks (6 to 10/11).
It started with just in the morning -
then throughout the whole day (cramped stomach feeling, manageable with some food) -
and then real nausea all day long and being very sensitive to cooking smells, also manageable with food,
but I also had days (evening) where it was really bad, but luckily this only happened 3 or 4 times.
Since the 11th week, this has gotten less and I hardly have any trouble with it anymore!

The prenatals we do are in Almelo, I don't know if you live close to there?

I have 2 diaries (there are photos on my profile), the 'pregnancy diary' from the Voordeel Bookstore
and the 'my 9 months diary' from AKO Bookstore. I find the last one the most fun, because you can answer questions every week about your little one and yourself. With the other one, you can come up with and write down whatever you want.

I requested a pregnancy box from Etos and got a free magazine with it, and I still have to receive a postcard to pick up the box. I haven't requested the VGM from Prenatal yet!

Hi Charlotje, okay, so you really didn't feel well (which, secretly, wanting that back again is usually a good sign, of course). It's nice that you're feeling completely good in your own skin again. No, I don't live nearby; I live in a village near Rotterdam. Yes, a diary is indeed a nice idea, I'll look for a nice one.. Maybe also at Ako.. Because it's indeed nice to be able to answer questions.. Okay, all those boxes are nice though.. We can be spoiled a bit too, it's no small feat, you know. Have you thought about the birth yet? And whether you want it at home or at the ZH and what kind of birth. Pretty heavy if you ask me.. Then those 9 months pass by quickly. But we also get something terribly beautiful in return. How old/young are you? Xx

Hey Eline, yeah indeed I did feel pretty pregnant, even though those really bad nausea days weren't so fun, but yeah secretly it was nice. It seems kind of scary to me if you don't feel anything at all.
Oh no, then Almelo is really far for you haha!

Indeed, we are quite spoiled.. I haven't heard anything yet about the box, a bit of a shame, but maybe I need to be a bit more patient.

Yeah especially lately I've been thinking about the birth. I really want to give birth in the hospital, it gives me a sense of security. I want to use the epidural as an open alternative, so first just try naturally. I do read some stories, with one it wasn't so bad because she could handle the contractions well, quickly got fully dilated and then could start pushing soon. But with another, the contractions were very painful and it took longer to get fully dilated, then it seems heavier to me... so I think I'll only really know when the moment comes! And that episiotomy seems so scary to me too... What do you think about the birth, or have you not thought about it yet?

I'm 20 years old, I'll be 21 in October! And you? xxx

Hey Charlotje, yeah, that might be true... But having patience when you're waiting for something nice is almost impossible. Hmm, I think I haven't thought about it as much as you have, since you're further along in your pregnancy... But I definitely want to give birth in the hospital... And as you said, if the pain becomes too much, an epidural is a good option. What I also find appealing is taking a bath during the dilation contractions... But what's also quite a scary idea is this birth... It's also such a beautiful thing. Your baby finally being with you. Wow. I'm turning 25 on July 4th. Xx

hey hey! Yeah, indeed, that sounds lovely too for a bath, I've read that a lot too, that it's really nice because your cervix can dilate in relaxation mode in the warm water and you don't have as much pain.
They also say, the more you relax, the less pain you feel, because then a certain hormone is released...

Unfortunately, we don't have a bath! But I'll come up with something... hopefully a shower is good enough and
otherwise I'll just put a chair under it haha. Yeah, indeed, I think childbirth, carrying your child for 9 months and
pregnancy ailments are all worth it for something so beautiful! You have a lovely age! Enjoy your pregnancy