Thanks everyone for your thoughts on my brother and SIL. Had an email this morning saying that the test they did for something called 'fetal fibronectin' was negative. I read that this is some kind of 'glue' that helps the foetus attach, so the fact that the test was negative means there is only a very slim chance that the baby will be born in the next two weeks - which is great. SIL will be in hospital till Friday, and then on partial bed rest and medication for two weeks. Very relieved that the baby is not coming now! Two more weeks inside will be great for him.

Ellie - you poor thing! That sounds absolutely dreadful. I hope you are feeling better and the morning sickness can be kept under control. I have had a scan at every appointment I've had so far (I've had four so far in this pregnancy), so I'm sure your OB will give you a quick scan. This must be a really anxious time for you, I hope the days till your appointment pass really quickly and you get to see that gorgeous heartbeat before you know it.

BW - sorry to hear about your back. I tend to have back issues, so I know it's going to be a problem for me. My lower back is sore quite a bit of the time, I've been sleeping with a pillow for support under/between my knees since I found out I was pg, and it does seem to help. I know what you mean about the belly - I am freaking huge! I think I look weeks ahead of where I am. I love it - it feels very reassuring. I like the mat jeans I bought, they look like normal jeans but with a soft, elasticised section instead of the zip and buttons. It was a relief to be able to wear something comfortable, and you can't tell they're mat jeans when I put the belly band or a long singlet over the top of them.

11 sleeps till my next OB appointment, really want to see the baby and see whether s/he's still OK.

Janie, Scooby, Shannon, MissC and anyone I may have missed - I hope you're all doing marvellously and I'm sending you lots of

Devon
xxxx