Feb 2011 - The turkeys are getting fat...so are we!!!

[WanderingSheep]

suzy your symptons sound identical to mine. I've often found that the most pain comes in the middle of the night, and I also get the one leg pain although I think that's sciatica rather than spd. But in the early days my pain started in my back and then spread to my groin. Things I have found help include paracetamal (not a big difference but it takes the edge off a bit), getting DH to do a back massage can help, my visit to the physio helps a lot and my special belt that I got from the physio is also pretty good if I know I'm going to be on my feet a lot.

In other news, we've had no snow in Kent yet but I think we'll get a small amount tomorrow morning...

Suzy - I'm afraid that does sound like SPD especially the middle of the night bit. See your GP/midwife and get a physio referral.

Agree with Zero that paracetomol does help a bit especially if you're not used to taking it. Also taking a nice bath helps me but getting in/out is a bit of an ordeal so need to spend 1/2 hour in there to make it worthwhile IYSWIM! Have not found the belt particularly helpful but others have so try it. Have also visited Osteopath which I finds eases it for a few days after the visit so depends how much £ you are willing to spend (I am not going much now).

No snow here in Devon and none forecast for the rest of the week. I'm a nervous driver though and need DS to get to nursery becuase of my various complaints atm so I'm quite glad!!

Going to wrap some presents later on to get me in the Christmas mood! DH has just upgraded Sky to include Movies package as he said he "feels sorry for me" staying at home all the time!

Oh dear, I had feared it might be the dreaded SPD. Does it need to be diagnosed? By Dr or midwife?
Might see the doc this week anyway as I am struggling with work so much now, and this is just adding to it!

Angels, I would probably buy at least something like this in newborn or 0-3 month size, so that you know your baby won't be going naked whatever happens.

I've had some quite crippling pain around my coxics (sp?!) and left hip due to ligaments stretching for several weeks now and got a physio appointment that was really helpful. She gave me some very simple exercises to do, and the most transformational piece of advice was to stop striding everywhere and take much smaller steps. I feel like an old lady but it's made a real difference.

I'm working right up to a week before my due date. Gulp. (well.....that's the plan!).

americanexpat people may buy you baby clothes but they are not that likely to buy you the newborn basics that you will need at birth ie plain babygros and vests, bootees, hats etc, they are more likely to buy cute "outfits" which are fine for when bubs is slightly older but my previous LOs were in plain newborn size babygros and cardis for the first month or so - its easier and more comfy for them.

I have bought the bare minimum of the basics for now, so whatever anyone else buys will be an added bonus.

people are also unlikely to buy you nursing bras, maternity towels, nappies and other such useful things so you may as well get them in now too...

I've been looking at baby clothes recently as I do want to buy a couple of nice bright sleepsuits for new baby, I would feel a bit bad if he/she only had DD's hand me downs. I can't seem to find anything nice, if I see one more white, beige, pastel pink or baby blue piece of clothing I think I will go on a killing spree. Where are all the nice bright things?! Can you use plain old dylon on baby clothes or will it irritate their skin, does anyone know?

americanexpat I agree with PinkElephant - people usually buy you outfits which are totally impractical (but cute!).

I have bought a few babygros, long sleeved & short sleeved vests and a couple of snowsuits (shopping addiction but also they throw up on stuff all the time so useful to have spares). Have also bought one "nice" babygro for photo op post birth. Oh and get a couple of those little cotton hats as the hospital ones are a bit

Cannot stress enough to first-timers how many maternity pads you will need! And get the proper "duvet" sized ones as they are a nice cushion to sit on! Ditto breast pads - the washable ones didn't work for me as my supply was huge but I used them in conjunction with normal pads (and I still leaked all over my sheet).

On the subject - it can be a good idea to get a waterproof sheet for your bed. Our mattress cost an absolute bomb and I'll put it on maybe around 37 weeks in case of waters breaking / milk leaking / other things leaking / baby throwing up entire feed once born etc. So many possibilities!

EauRouge have you tried the Next Directory? They usually have nice bring things?

Mothercare have some nice bright ones, so do Next. Seconding the amount of maternity pads, guess what you need and triple it I used Tescos own brand when having dds and thought they were great.

Hello everyone,

Hope you're all having good weekends. It's been snowing quite a bit here and just started again, urgh, I hate going out in it and especially now when I have all the balance of a very drunk elephant.

Sorry haven't on recently but been busy with new flat and getting through a horrible cold.

Just been scanning previous posts and wanted to say I empathise completely with those of you having painful BHs, they're a nightmare! I get them when walking uphill especially. I've been waking up in the night with what I can only compare to period pains as well and wondering if that's BHs too.

Well, I'd better go and catch up with everyone's been up to, you've all been very busy it seems

Nice bright baby stuff:

Rainbow Babies -- all they do is basics in plain bright colours, but they do them very well.

Jako-O -- Nice bright children's range from a German company.

Nordic Kids -- I love Scandinavian baby stuff, although have never managed to justify the cost for DS or DD1.

Hedgepig -- some crossover with Nordic Kids, but some different stuff.

"IdaT" are another bright brand I love and the clothes do wash well but sometimes pricey, though looks like they are currently having a sale.

It does make me giggle when I hear about people from the UK buying from Scandinavia, as I've come over to the UK to shop to avoid the prices!

I hope you are all well and had a lovely weekend. We have so much snow that I was made to spend £110 (crazy prices over here!) on snow boots because OH and mum were convinced I'd slip as my boots were not grippy apparently..

Another website for bright baby stuff

easynappies I bought one of the kimono style tops and leggings and OH bought a bumble bee striped vest and they're very cute!

Thanks for all the ideas everyone! Lots of lovely non-pastel things

Hi lovely ladies, I haven't had a chance to read through all the thread, I hope everyone's doing well and blossoming!

I just wanted to post to say that I had my GTT on Friday, (had to have it due to my, er, love of cake and mince pies!) and for anyone who still has it coming up, don't worry, it's fine!

I was really nervous about fasting and all the blood tests, but really, it was not a big deal. The sitting around waiting is boring, but I had a good book, and we were lucky enough not to get a gross glucose syrup drink, but just had to drink 2 cups of lucozade. I'd never drunk it before, but it wasn't too bad.

Three tiny blood tests in total, then off for a big lunch. So, definitely not something worth worrying about if you have it coming up. Just have to wait a couple of days for the results now, fingers crossed all is fine!

LOL @ PDR re "duvet" maternity towels - I ordered 5 packs from Tesco (to be delivered with groceries) and they were out of stock so sent the slimline ones which have gone straight back! need the super thick cushiony ones please.

my top postnatal soothing tip is to have a bath every day without fail with 5-10 drops of lavender oil in the water. this will help stitches dissolve and generally soothe the area. would steer clear of any other bath products though. salt baths are sometimes recommended but apparently you would have to put kilos of salt in for it to make any difference.

I have ordered some maternity bed mats from boots which I am hoping are larger versions of the pampers bed mats you get for toddlers. as my mattress did get stained from leaky boobs last time. I dont think DH would put up with having a rubber sheet on the bed - too clammy.

also ladies may be a good idea to have a tube of pile cream to hand!

what other things are people buying - I have ordered a TENS machine from Boots, they are on special offer to buy at £37 at the moment which is not much more than hiring and I will lend it to my friend afterwards.

PinkElephant I managed to find a waterproof bedsheet in Argos that has a toweling top, which I've put straight on the bed and neither of us have a over heating or comfort issue with. I think it was £16 ish.

We don't have a bath tub, or infact know anyone in this country with a bath tub sob, I'm a bit sad about that as everyone goes on about baths and it's really something I miss. Anyone have any postnatal shower tips?

I have my fingers crossed you pass the GTT, Cordiality.

I got some duvet maternity pads last week as they were half price in sainsburys - but only had 3 packs left.

Thanks for the tip pinkelephant in reduced tens in boots - have just looked online but the one I thought I might go for was out of stock . Anyone out there recommend/avoid any particualar make/model in tens? Not really sure what to go for and whether to hire or buy and if hire then not sure at what week pg I should book it to arrive.

My back pain is slowly getting worse and spreading a bit into my legs sometimes and into my hips, so hoping hoping it isn't the start of spd/sciatica.

Still no snow here.

So maternity pads rather than just regular sanitary towels, yes? I'm a bit scared about just how much is going to come out

Angels, I started a thread about TENS machines in the childbirth section here.

I've still got some maternity pads left over from last time but I do need to get some more. I think I only went through a couple of packs last time and then just switched to normal sanitary pads. And I need some of those paper pants but in the right size this time, last time I got the medium ones and couldn't even get them over my knees despite still being in 10/12 maternity jeans take note, Tesco paper pants sizes are very stingy!

Zero definately maternity pads - stay away from anything with the words slimline and normal - you need super duper and duvet-like :) I bled for about 10 days after DS and it was quite heavy - some people I know have bled for much longer but bleeding was lighter. I stuck with the maternity pads as I needed the cushioning - and I didn't have any stitches!

angels I got loads in Sainsbury's 1/2 price sale too :) and breast pads! God I must have used hundreds of the things last time!

Tarlia second the waterproof sheet with towling top!

I am feeling so much better today - have been doing housework/laundry all morning as let it lapse last week so have a bit of a pile up now! SPD even not too bad today though going up/down stairs has been problematic. I'll probably regret it later but someone has to do the laundry! DH rang at 9am to say he's be home late tonight as doing overtime :( I actually quite miss him when he's at work !!!

Thanks eaurouge

You definitely need maternity pads for the first ten days-two weeks. After that you'll probably be fine with regular pads. You'll value the cushioning and softness of maternity pads as well as their absorbancy, TBH.

So long as you get a specialist labour TENS rather than one for regular pain you should be fine; make sure it has an intensity control and a boost button.

Tarlia I showered after DD with a bowl of warm salty water and did lots of sloshing in the appropriate place. Did this a couple of times a day in fact and was very soothing on sore lady bits.

Been away running the coldest show EVER this weekend. We were near Birmingham and it was arctic, poor DD had 6 layers on including a snowsuit and was still chilly. Even I was cold and I am at least 10c warmer than anyone else!!

eaurouge I know what you mean about the pants, they had to find some hospital ones for me with DD!! This time I'll just take some grotty pants and bin them.