I was never actually sick with either baby but I felt sick first thing with both for the first twelve weeks. I also couldn't stand various smells including the traditional one of coffee. The nearest I came to throwing up was when I smelt cigarette smoke. Strangely, I also couldn't stand the smells of beans cooking or, believe it or not, of new baked bread. I was less well with Shady, the second due to having gestational diabetes so I didn't enjoy that pregnancy as much as my first.

Didn't manange to give birth either time...they were both caesarians. That upset me a lot with Richard as I'd wanted to do it all naturally, then I realized how lucky I was that we were both actually alive and the upset became just a minor sadness. Richard was an emergency section so I was asleep when he arrived...another thing that upset me. Shady was a planned section so I was awake and aware and that was much better.

As for maternal feeling....as I said, I'd never had maternal urges and was totally unprepared for the sheer, physical strength of the feeling that overwhelmed me. My maternal feelings are still very strong and I'm sure I could do 'impossible' things such as we read about from time to time to protect or save my children. I know I would kill without thought or hesitation to protect my babies.

And breast-feeding...but that's another story

Love Lynne