Elise - wow - can't believe your mat leave is almost here! You will be so relieved. Looking forward to seeing you in here more often.

Kit - I had aching hips and knees from about 7/8 weeks and stretchy/crampy feelings from about the same time, but usually if I moved too quickly. I still get all of them. Like Elise and others have said, it's normal and a part of the process. It's primarily the relaxin hormone loosening up those tendons and ligaments. My Obs said it starts to have effect from 6 weeks but most people can't feel them then. In fact I had an episode that so was bad the other day, I had to pant my way through it. It didn't last long and it came on when I tried to move too quickly.

Also I am laughing at your DH - hilarious. Penis' rule the world apparently! The other thing he can be proud of is it's his sperm that decide the gender of the baby! How is it that they get the say in that? And how weird is it that there are, in really simple language, girl and boy sperm.

Good luck to those who are having scans coming up - how exciting and anxiety provoking at the same time. Hopefully the M/S passes soon for those who are suffering. it's not pleasant. Mine eased at 11 weeks, but some mild nausea has returned. But it's only mild. I have had my 1 hour glucose tolerance test and the results were slightly elevated so its off for the 2 hour fasting and special diet test for me next week. I hate waiting in the waiting room... wonder if I'll get a leave pass?

The baby cat goes in for his treatment next friday and I will be without him for 3 weeks. I am not looking forward to it and will be a mess when I drop him off. But hopefully the 3 weeks will be over before I know it and he'll be home and snuggling with me again.

All good with my scare earlier this week, not amniotic fluid! Phew. My Obs as usual was wonderfully understanding and compassionate and non judgmental and encouraged me to call if ANYTHING worried me.

Take care and belly rubs too all. Sorry for the lack of persies. Just feeling a bit quiet.